Player tracking device main body and player tracking device

ABSTRACT

Objects of the present invention are to provide a player tracking device main body which can be stably located in various postures inside of a housing of a gaming machine; and a player tracking device which includes said player tracking device main body. A PTS main body  1700   b  includes a magnet cover  1801  formed as a protruding portion on a central upper side of a base panel  1803 . Inside of the magnet cover  1801 , magnets ( 1810, 1811 , and  1812 ) which are sandwiched between the magnet cover  1801  and a base stopper  1815  are located.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a player tracking device which isincorporated into a gaming machine.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there has been proposed a gaming system which includes:player tracking devices, each of which receives information foridentifying a player and provides information pertinent to contents andthe like (a bonus game and the like) for the identified player; aplurality of gaming machines, each of which has the player trackingdevice; and a player server which identifies a player at each of thegaming machines based on player identification information from each ofthe player tracking devices (refer to Patent Literature 1).

Here, the above-mentioned player tracking device is constituted of, forexample, a front unit integrally mounted on a front face of each of thegaming machines; and a main body connected to the front unit andincluding a control device and the like and realizes a player trackingsystem (PTS). Main purposes of the player tracking device is to identifyand manage a player playing on each of the gaming machines for each ofthe gaming machines and to provide individual information, pointservice, a game play which is different from those played on each of thegaming machines, and the like for each player.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: U.S. Pat. No. 8,403,745 Specification

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

As described above, the player tracking device identifies a player foreach of the gaming machines, manages behavior of each player, andprovides individual information, point service, a game play which isdifferent from those played on each of the gaming machines, and the likefor each player. In the game system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1,contents such as a bonus game and the like is provided for each playerby the player tracking device and the player server.

However, although there are needs for the introduction of the playertracking devices as described above on gaming machines having variousconfigurations, the player tracking device main body of each of theconventional player tracking devices cannot be located inside of ahousing of each of the gaming machines stably in various postures. Inaddition, the player tracking device main body cannot be easily attachedand detached.

Solution to Problem

The present invention provides a player tracking device main body and aplayer tracking device as described below.

In view of the above-described regard, the present invention has beenmade. Objects of the present invention are to provide a player trackingdevice main body which can be located in various postures inside of ahousing of a gaming machine and a player tracking device which includessaid player tracking device main body.

In addition, objects of the present invention are to provide a playertracking device main body having a configuration which allows easyattachment and detachment onto and from the housing of the gamingmachine; and a player tracking device which includes said playertracking device main body.

The player tracking device main body according to a first aspect of thepresent invention includes the below-described configuration.

The player tracking device main body (for example, a PTS main body 1700b) is connected to a front unit (for example, a PTS front unit 1700 a)of a player tracking device, the player tracking device including anoperation part (for example, an LCD 1719 having a touch panel function)operated by a player of a gaming machine (for example, a slot machine1010), the player tracking device main body being located so as to bespaced apart from the front unit,

the player tracking device main body including an attachment part (forexample, a magnet cover 1801 or the like) which includes magnets (forexample, magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812)), the magnets being arranged soas to allow the player tracking device main body to be attached insideof a housing (for example, a cabinet 1011 or a top box 1012) of thegaming machine.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the attachmentpart of the player tracking device main body is configured to includethe magnets, the player tracking device main body can be stably locatedin various postures inside of the housing of the gaming machine.Further, attachment and detachment thereof to and from the housing ofthe gaming machine can be facilitated.

In the first aspect, the player tracking device main body according to asecond aspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The player tracking device main body includes a supporting part (forexample, a base panel 1803) for supporting the attachment part, and

the attachment part is configured as a protruding portion whichprotrudes from the supporting part.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the attachmentpart of the player tracking device main body is configured as theprotruding portion, heat can be effectively dissipated.

In the second aspect, the player tracking device main body according toa third aspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The protruding portion is located in a center of the supporting part.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the protrudingportion of the player tracking device main body is configured to belocated in the center of the supporting part, when the player trackingdevice main body is located inside of the housing of the gaming machine,the player tracking device main body can be easily stabilized in termsof the center of gravity and balance. In addition, it is made easy for aface in contact with a place where the PTS main body is located insideof the housing of the gaming machine to be provided in a continuous andwide manner, whereby its friction resistance causes displacement thereofto hardly occur.

In the third aspect, the player tracking device main body according to afourth aspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The protruding portion is formed to be of a circular shape, and

a plurality of the magnets are located concentrically with the circularshape.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the protrudingportion is formed to be of the circular shape and the plurality of themagnets are located concentrically with the circular shape, upondetaching the player tracking device main body, when the detachment isperformed even from any angle, the detaching force is made even and thedetachment is facilitated.

In the first aspect, the player tracking device according to a fifthaspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The player tracking device (for example, a PTS terminal 1700) includesthe player tracking device main body according to the first aspect.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the attachmentpart of the player tracking device main body is configured to includethe magnets, the player tracking device main body can be stably locatedin various posture inside of the housing of the gaming machine. Further,attachment and detachment thereof to and from the housing of the gamingmachine can be facilitated.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

A player tracking device main body according to the present inventioncan be stably located in various postures inside of a housing of agaming machine and can be easily attached and detached to and from thehousing of the gaming machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a game system accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a slot machine accordingto one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing basic functions of the slot machineaccording to the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an overall structure of theslot machine according to the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which an upper doorand a lower door of the slot machine according to the one embodiment ofthe present invention are opened.

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating the state in which the upper doorand the lower door of the slot machine according to the one embodimentof the present invention are opened.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a PTS front unit of a PTSterminal incorporated into the slot machine, according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a PTS main body of the PTSterminal incorporated into the slot machine, according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the PTS main body ofthe PTS terminal incorporated into the slot machine according to the oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view illustrating a reverse face of the PTS mainbody according to the one embodiment of the present invention in a statein which a magnet cover is detached.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a reverse face of a magnetholder of the PTS main body according to the one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the PTS main body according to the oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams for describing a state in which the PTSmain body according to the one embodiment of the present invention isdetached from the slot machine.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the PTS main body of the PTSterminal incorporated into the slot machine according to the oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the PTS main body of the PTSterminal incorporated into the slot machine according to the oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating the PTS main body of the PTSterminal and a cable cover, incorporated into the slot machine accordingto the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram exemplifying a plurality of patterns, in each ofwhich the PTS main body is housed inside of the slot machine accordingto the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram exemplifying a plurality of patterns, in each ofwhich the PTS main body is housed inside of the slot machine accordingto the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a power adapter and a poweradapter fixture of the PTS main body according to the one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the power adapter fixture according to the oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the power adapter fixture according tothe one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram exemplifying a plurality of patterns, in each ofwhich the power adapter is attached by the power adapter fixtureaccording to the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a side view illustrating a state in which the power adapterfixture is attached to the cable cover according to the one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a circuitry configuration of the slotmachine according to the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a circuitry configuration of the PTSterminal according to the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a symbol combination tablewhich the slot machine according to the one embodiment of the presentinvention includes.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main control processexecuted on the slot machine according to the one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a start-check processexecuted on the slot machine according to the one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a symbol drawing processexecuted on the slot machine according to the one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a reel control processexecuted on the slot machine according to the one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a to-be-paid-out numberdetermination process executed on the slot machine according to the oneembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

[Description of Outline of Game System]

First, with reference to FIG. 1, an outline of a game system will bedescribed. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating anoverview of the game system 1 according to the one embodiment of thepresent invention.

The game system 1 includes: a hall management server 10, a bonus server11, a setting management server 12, a membership management server 13,and a plurality of gaming machines.

The hall management server 10 totalizes and manages a flow of moneywithin a hall (game facility), prepares a balance sheet and the like,and manages the other servers. In addition, the hall management server10 obtains, from the respective gaming machines, accounting informationwhich includes timing at which each of the gaming machines starts a unitgame; timing at which each of the gaming machines terminates the unitgame; a drawing result in the unit game; and the like and accumulatesthe accounting information.

The bonus server 11 controls a bonus drawing in a bonus game andpredetermined presentation conducted in association with the bonusdrawing. In addition, the bonus server 11, for example, manages anaccumulated value for providing a bonus (for example, creditsaccumulated for a progressive bonus). The setting management server 12stores and manages setting related to gaming machines, on each of whichthe bonus drawing is conducted, and setting related to the presentation.It is to be noted that although in the present embodiment, thedescription is given by taking the bonus game as an example, other kindsof games such as a slot tournament may be conducted.

The membership management server 13 is a server which stores and managespersonal information of members, membership card (IC card) information,the past game outcomes of the members, and the like. Issuance ofmembership cards (IC cards) is made by, for example, a membership cardissuing terminal. The personal information of the members, inputted uponmember registration, is stored on the membership management server 13together with identification codes of the membership cards. In addition,the membership card issuing terminal is provided with a camera whichallows also shooting of a face of a player for which an IC card isissued upon issuing of a membership card. The shot image is stored onthe membership management server 13 so as to be associated with anidentification code.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machines are installed in a plurality ofareas (for example, as shown in FIG. 1, A-1 to A-3). Here, the areascorrespond to, for example, one floor of a hall or areas within thefloor. In this example, although the areas from A-1 to A-3 are shown,this is merely one example.

Further, the gaming machines are installed in each zone (for example, asshown in FIG. 1, in Z-1 to Z-4) within each of the areas. Here, each ofthe zones corresponds to specific space within each of the areas. Inthis example, although the four zones (Z-1 to Z-4) are provided in eachof the areas, respectively, this is also merely one example. Inaddition, in this example, although eight gaming machines are installedin each one of the zones, respectively, this is also merely one example,and various numbers of the gaming machines can be installed.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the zone Z-1 of the area A-1, eight gamingmachines of T-11 a to T-11 h are installed; similarly, in the zone Z-2of the area A-1, eight gaming machines of T-12 a to T-12 h are installed(thereinafter, not shown); in the zone Z-3 of the area A-1, eight gamingmachines of T-13 a to T-13 h are installed; and in the zone Z-4 of thearea A-1, eight gaming machines of T-14 a to T-14 h are installed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the zone Z-1 of the area A-2, eightgaming machines of T-21 a to T-21 h are installed; similarly, in thezone Z-2 of the area A-2, eight gaming machines of T-22 a to T-22 h areinstalled (thereinafter, not shown); in the zone Z-3 of the area A-2,eight gaming machines of T-23 a to T-23 h are installed; and in the zoneZ-4 of the area A-2, eight gaming machines of T-24 a to T-24 h areinstalled. In addition, in the zone Z-1 of the area A-3, eight gamingmachines of T-31 a to T-31 h are installed; similarly, in the zone Z-2of the area A-3, eight gaming machines of T-32 a to T-32 h are installed(thereinafter, not shown); in the zone Z-3 of the area A-3, eight gamingmachines of T-33 a to T-33 h are installed; and in the zone Z-4 of thearea A-3, eight gaming machines of T-34 a to T-34 h are installed.

It is to be noted that although it is schematically shown that therespective gaming machines are connected to the hall management server10 and the bonus server 11 via a LAN connection by Ethernet (aregistered trademark), the more detailed connection form will bedescribed later.

In addition, each of the gaming machines is provided with a uniqueidentifier, and the hall management server 10 and the like identifytransmission sources of data transmitted from the respective gamingmachines by using the identifiers. In addition, also in a case where thehall management server 10 and the like transmit data to the gamingmachines, based on the identifiers, transmission destinations arespecified. Although as the identifiers, for example, network addressessuch as IP addresses can be used, identifiers other than the networkaddresses may be provided, also thereby allowing the individual gamingmachines to be managed.

It is to be noted that the game system 1 may be constructed within onehall (game facility) where various games can be conducted or may beconstructed over a plurality of halls. In addition, when the game system1 is constructed in a single hall, the game system 1 may be constructedin each floor or section of the hall. A communication line forconnecting the servers and the gaming machines may be a wired orwireless line, and as the communication line, a dedicated line, anexchange line, or the like can also be adopted.

[Description of Outline of Gaming Machine]

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an outline of a gaming machine accordingto the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 2,a configuration of a slot machine 1010 which is a gaming machineincluding a player tracking device (Player Tracking Device) isconceptually shown. It is to be noted that the player tracking device isa terminal for realizing a player tracking system (Player TrackingSystem) and in the present specification, hereinafter, this device isreferred to as a PTS terminal. In addition, the PTS terminal in thepresent embodiment is configured to include a PTS front unit and a PTSmain body. The PTS front unit is arranged integrally with a front faceof the gaming machine and includes an operation part operated by aplayer. In addition, the PTS main body includes a control part connectedto the PTS front unit by cables and the like and is located so as to bespaced apart from the PTS front unit. It is to be noted that although inthe below description, a case where the slot machine is used as thegaming machine will be described, the present invention is not limitedto the case of the slot machine and is applicable to gaming machineswhich conduct a variety of games.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 1010 has the PTS terminal 1700mounted therein and further includes a settlement apparatus 1868. Theslot machine 1010 is connected via the PTS terminal 1700 to the hallmanagement server 10, the bonus server 11, and the like via a network.In the present embodiment, one slot machine 1010 is provided with onePTS terminal 1700.

In the present embodiment, the PTS terminal 1700 is connected to a billvalidator 1022 via the communication line (or the slot machine 1010).

In addition, based on a predetermined protocol, the PTS terminal 1700conducts transmission and reception of data to and from a controller(the later-described controller 1100 of the slot machine 1010) andconducts data communication with the hall management server 10, thebonus server 11, and the like connected via the network. For example,from the PTS terminal 1700 to the controller 1100, information pertinentto a credit required to start a game, a stop command to instruct to stopa unit game upon predetermined presentation, and the like can betransmitted, and from the controller 1100 to the PTS terminal 1700,information pertinent to a credit as a game outcome, start notificationof the unit game, and termination notification thereof can betransmitted.

In addition, from the PTS terminal 1700 to the hall management server10, the start notification and the termination notification of the unitgame, accounting information including a drawing result or the like, andthe like are transmitted. From the bonus server 11 to the PTS terminal1700 (of a predetermined slot machine 1010), bonus winning notificationis transmitted. Further, between the PTS terminal 1700 and themembership management server 13, information pertinent to credits ofmembers and the like is communicated.

Here, an outline of a game flow in a case of members is as describedbelow. First, member registration is conducted by using the membershipcard issuing terminal, and at this time, a membership card (IC card) isissued. Thereafter, a player inserts the membership card into the PTSterminal 1700 of the slot machine 1010 and inputs cash there. When abill or bills have been inputted, the bill validator 1022 identifies acurrency kind and a money amount and transmits currency kind data andmoney amount data as an identification result to the PTS terminal 1700.The PTS terminal 1700 calculates a credit for a game from the currencykind data and the money amount data and transmits the calculated creditto the controller 1100.

Based on the credit transmitted from the PTS terminal 1700, thecontroller 1100 executes the game. A credit in accordance with a gameoutcome is transmitted from the controller 1100 to the PTS terminal1700, calculation for paying-out based on the game outcome is performedon the PTS terminal 1700, and a money amount to be paid out to a playeris determined. On the PTS terminal 1700, the determined money amount iswritten onto the membership card as it is, and the membership card isejected. In addition, in accordance with the execution or the like ofthe game, predetermined points are provided for the membership card.

In a case where a player who is a member plays a game next, the PTSterminal 1700 reads the inserted membership card and then reads out themoney amount stored in the membership card. The read-out money amount isconverted to a credit and the converted credit is transmitted to thecontroller 1100. A credit in accordance with a game outcome istransmitted from the controller 1100 to the PTS terminal 1700 asmentioned above, calculation for paying-out based on the game outcome isperformed on the PTS terminal 1700, and a money amount to be paid out toa player is determined. At this time, the money amount obtained as thegame outcome is added to the money amount of the membership card,thereby updating this.

Further, at this time, the PTS terminal 1700 transmits an identificationcode (or a member ID) read out from the membership card and the updatedmoney amount to the membership management server 13, and the membershipmanagement server 13 adds the money amount transmitted from the PTSterminal 1700 to a money amount of a member identified by theabove-mentioned identification code and stores said money amount. Byconducting this processing, the money amount which the member holds isinvariably managed.

Thereafter, if needed, a player who is a member can make settlement at acashier counter or the like, based on the money amount stored on themembership card. In addition, as in the above-described slot machine1010, in a case where the settlement apparatus 1868 is included therein,on said slot machine 1010, the settlement can be made by using themembership card.

On the other hand, an outline of a game flow in a case where a player isa non-member is as described below. A player inputs cash to the PTSterminal 1700 of the slot machine 1010. When the bill or bills have beeninputted, the bill validator 1022 identifies a currency kind and a moneyamount and transmits currency kind data and money amount data as anidentification result to the PTS terminal 1700. The PTS terminal 1700calculates a credit for a game from the currency kind data and the moneyamount data and transmits the calculated credit to the controller 1100.

Based on the credit transmitted from the PTS terminal 1700, thecontroller 1100 executes the game. A credit in accordance with a gameoutcome is transmitted from the controller 1100 to the PTS terminal1700, calculation for paying-out based on the game outcome is performedon the PTS terminal 1700, and a money amount to be paid out to a playeris determined. On the PTS terminal 1700, this determined money amount iswritten onto a new IC card stocked in the slot machine 1010, and the ICcard is ejected. Here, the non-member gets the IC card for the firsttime.

Thereafter, if needed, a player who is the non-member can makesettlement at a cashier counter or the like based on the money amountstored on the IC card. In addition, as in the above-described slotmachine 1010, in a case where the settlement apparatus 1868 is includedtherein, on said slot machine 1010, the settlement can be made by usingthe IC card.

[Description of Function Flow Diagram]

With reference to FIG. 3, basic functions of a slot machine according toone embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown inFIG. 3, the slot machine 1010 is connected to an external control device(for example, a bonus server 11) so as to allow data communication, andthe external control device is connected to a plurality of other slotmachines 1010 installed in a hall so as to allow data communication.

<Start-Check>

First, the slot machine 1010 checks whether or not a BET button has beenpressed by a player and subsequently checks whether or not a spin buttonhas been pressed by a player.

<Symbol Determination>

Next, when the spin button has been pressed by a player, the slotmachine 1010 extracts random number values for symbol determination anddetermines symbols to be displayed to a player with respect to aplurality of reels displayed on a display at the time of stopping therotation of the reels.

<Reel Control>

Next, the slot machine 1010 starts the rotation of each of the reels andthen stops the rotation such that the determined symbols are displayedto a player.

<Winning Determination>

Next, when the rotation of each of the reels has been stopped, the slotmachine 1010 determines whether or not a combination of symbolsdisplayed to a player is a combination related to winning.

<Paying-Out>

Next, when the symbols displayed to a player is the combination relatedto the winning, the slot machine 1010 provides a benefit in accordancewith a kind of the combination for a player. For example, when acombination of symbols related to paying-out of coins has beendisplayed, the slot machine 1010 adds a number of coins corresponding tothe combination of symbols to a number of credits.

In addition, the slot machine 1010 is connected to the bonus server 11.On the bonus server 11, in a case where the spin button has been pressedby a player and a unit game has been thereby started and in a case wherethe unit game has been terminated, in response thereto, a drawing for abonus game is conducted. When as a result of the drawing for the bonusgame, winning has occurred on any of the slot machines 1010,predetermined presentation is conducted on a display device or the likeof the PTS terminal 1700. Here, the unit game refers to a series ofoperations conducted from when the acceptance of betting is started towhen winning is likely to be established.

On any of the slot machines 1010 which has won in the bonus game, theprovision of the credit is conducted from the bonus server 11 via thePTS terminal 1700. In addition, it can be arranged such that the bonusserver 11 accumulates, for example, one part of a credit consumed by aplayer on each of the slot machines 1010 as a credit for a progressivebonus and when any of the slot machines 1010 has won in the bonus game,adds a number of coins corresponding to one part of the progressivebonus (to a number of credits) for that slot machine 1010.

<Determination of Presentation>

The slot machine 1010 conducts presentation through displaying of imagesby a display, outputting of light by a lamp, and outputting of sound bya speaker. The slot machine 1010 extracts a random number value for thepresentation and determines presentation contents based on symbols orthe like determined by a drawing.

[Structure of Slot Machine]

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an overall structure of a slot machine1010 will be described.

On the slot machine 1010, as game media, bills or electronic valuableinformation corresponding to these are used. In particular, in thepresent embodiment, credit-related data such as cash data stored in anIC card 1500 is used. It is to be noted that although the slot machine1010 has a structure in which coins are not used as the game media, thisis merely one example, and the slot machine 1010 may be configured as aslot machine on which a variety of game media including the coins can beused.

The slot machine 1010 is provided with a housing which includes acabinet 1011 and a top box 1012 attached on an upper side of the cabinet1011. Main parts of the cabinet 1011 and the top box 1012 are formed ofmetallic plate members. In addition, on a front face of the cabinet1011, an upper door 1142 and a lower door 1144 are provided.

On a lower side of a front face of the upper door 1142, a lower imagedisplay panel 1141 is provided. The lower image display panel 1141 isconstituted of a liquid crystal panel and constitutes a display.

In addition, on the front face of the upper door 1142 and above theabove-mentioned lower image display panel 1141, a symbol display window1135 is provided. Through the symbol display window 1135, a reelapparatus M1 which is provided inside of the cabinet 1011 and isconstituted of five reels M1 a to M1 e is visually recognizable. On aperipheral surface of each of the reels, 12 symbols are depicted. The 12symbols are arranged in succession along a direction in which each ofthe reels of the reel apparatus M1 is rotated and form a symbol array.Each of the reels M1 a to M1 e is rotated, the symbols depicted on eachof the reels are thereby rotated in a longitudinal direction, andthereafter, the rotation is stopped, thereby allowing the symbols to berearranged.

Here, the “rearrangement” means a state in which after the arrangementof the symbols has been released, the symbols are arranged again. The“arrangement” means a state in which the symbols can be visuallyconfirmed by a player at the outside. The slot machine 1010 executes theso-called slot game in which based on the state of the arrangement ofthe symbols on the reels M1 a to M1 e which have been rotated andthereafter stopped, a payout in accordance with a predeterminedcombination is awarded.

It is to be noted that although in the present embodiment, the slotmachine 1010 is a slot machine which includes the mechanical reel typereel apparatus M1, the slot machine 1010 may be a slot machine whichincludes a video reel type reel apparatus displaying pseudo reels, andthe slot machine 1010 may be a slot machine in which the video reel typereel apparatus and the mechanical reel type reel apparatus are combined.

On a front face of the top box 1012, an upper image display panel 1131is provided. The upper image display panel 1131 is constituted of aliquid crystal panel and constitutes a display. The upper image displaypanel 1131 displays images related to presentation and images showingintroduction of contents of games and rules thereof.

On the above-mentioned lower image display panel 1141, arranged are anumber-of-credits display part which indicates a state of credits (forexample, a total number of credits which a player currently has) asnecessary and a fraction cash display part which indicates fractioncash, and a variety of pieces of information pertinent to a game such ascontents of betting are displayed. Here, the “credits” are virtual gamemedia on a game, to be used when a player makes betting. In addition,the “fraction cash” is cash which is not converted to a credit becausean inputted money amount is insufficient.

When the IC card 1500 has been inserted into the later-described PTSterminal 1700, a number of credits stored on the IC card is displayed onthe number-of-credits display part, and fraction cash stored on the ICcard is displayed on the fraction cash display part. It is to be notedthat these numerical values are stored on the membership managementserver 13 so as to be associated with an identification code of themembership card.

Here, the IC card is, for example, a non-contact IC card and hasincorporated thereon an IC (Integrated Circuit) for recording andcomputing a variety of pieces of data such as credits and enablesshort-range wireless communication using an RFID (Radio FrequencyIdentification) technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication), forexample. By using the IC card 1500, a player can have the credit-relateddata and further, freely carries the IC card with him or her amongdifferent slot machines. A player inserts the IC card 1500 into the PTSterminal 1700 of the slot machine 1010 and thereby uses thecredit-related data (money amount data) stored on the IC card 1500,thereby allowing a player to play a game such as a unit game on the slotmachine 1010.

It is to be noted that it may be made possible for a player to depositcash such as coins and bills as cash data on the IC card 1500 by usingan apparatus installed in a hall.

On right and left sides of an uppermost portion of a front face of thelower door 1144, speakers 1112 are respectively provided. On the slotmachine 1010, presentation for a unit game is executed throughdisplaying of images by the upper image display panel 1131, outputtingof sound by the speakers 1112, outputting of light by a lamp (notshown), and the like.

In addition, on the front face of the lower door 1144 and below saidspeaker 1112, a PTS front unit 1700 a which is a front part of the PTSterminal 1700 is incorporated, and on a right side of the PTS front unit1700 a, a printed matter discharge outlet 1136 and a bill insertion slot1137 are located.

Further, on the front face of the lower door 1144, below the PTS frontunit 1700 a, a control panel 1030 is located. The control panel 1030includes a base plate which is of a flat plate shape, and on said baseplate, a plurality of operation buttons (i.e. a spin button 1031, a MAXBET button 1032, a 5-BET button 1033, a 3-BET button 1034, a 2-BETbutton 1035, a 1-BET button 1036, a HELP button 1037, and a CASHOUTbutton 1038) are located.

In order to allow a player to easily perform a pressing operation of thespin button 1031 and easily identify the spin button 1031, the spinbutton 1031 is formed so as to be of a circular shape whose size islarger than those of the other buttons. The spin button 1031 is locatedin a right end portion of the base plate and has a function to start agame through the pressing operation.

The MAX BET button 1032 to 1-BET button 1036 are located on a left sideof the spin button 1031 in an aligned manner at equal intervals. Each ofthese operation buttons is formed so as to be of a quadrangular shape.The MAX BET button 1032 located in a right end portion has a function toallow a game to be played with a maximum number of bets such as adecuple through a pressing operation. The 5-BET button 1033 has afunction to allow a game to be played with a quintupled number of betsthrough a pressing operation. The 3-BET button 1034 has a function toallow a game to be played with a tripled number of bets through apressing operation. The 2-BET button 1035 has a function to allow a gameto be played with a doubled number of bets through a pressing operation.The 1-BET button 1036 has a function to allow a game to be played withone bet through a pressing operation.

The HELP button 1037 and the CASHOUT button 1038 are located in alongitudinal direction in a left end portion of the base plate. The HELPbutton 1037 has a function to display HELP information indicating a gamemethod and the like on the lower image display panel 1141 or the likethrough a pressing operation. In addition, the CASHOUT button 1038 has afunction to store a credit or the like on the IC card 1500 and to outputthe credit or the like in the form of a printed matter through apressing operation.

Further, in the slot machine 1010, in a side portion of the cabinet1011, air ventilation slots 1133 and an air intake slot 1134 are locatedand in a side portion of the top box 1012, air ventilation slots 1132are located. In addition, in an inside portion of the cabinet 1011,which corresponds to a position of the air ventilation slots 1133, a fan(not shown) is arranged, and similarly, in an inside portion of the topbox 1012, which corresponds to a position of the air ventilation slots1132, a fan (not shown) is arranged. These fans allow air inside of theslot machine 1010 to be discharged to an outside and take in externalair from the air intake slot 1134, and through such air circulation, atemperature inside of the slot machine 1010 is adjusted.

In addition, in a side portion of the cabinet 1011 of the slot machine1010, provided are a key cylinder 1138 into which a key used to open theupper door 1142 and the lower door 1144 is inserted and a door lock bar1139 with which the upper door 1142 and the lower door 1144 are locked.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the slot machine 1010 in astate in which the upper door 1142 and the lower door 1144 are openedand an internal structure of the cabinet 1101 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the slot machine 1010 in thestate in which the upper door 1142 and the lower door 1144 are opened.As shown in FIG. 5, on the front face of the top box 1012 of the slotmachine 1010, as described above, the upper image display panel 1131 islocated, and in the side portion of the top box 1012, the airventilation slots 1132 are located. The cabinet 1011 of the slot machine1010 is formed so as to be of a box-like shape with the front face beingopened, and in an upper portion of the front face, the upper door 1142is located, and in a lower portion of the front face, the lower door1144 is located.

In addition, in an upper portion of the side portion of the cabinet1011, the air ventilation slots 1133 are located, and in a middleportion of the side portion of the cabinet 1011, the air intake slot1134 is located. Further, in the vicinity of the air intake slot 1134,the above-mentioned key cylinder 1138 and door lock bar 1139 arelocated.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a left end portion of the cabinet 1011, thecabinet 1011 pivotally supports the upper door 1142 and the lower door1144 in a rotatable manner. On an upper end portion and a lower endportion of the upper door 1142, the upper door 1142 and the cabinet 1011are pivotally supported in a rotatable manner and are coupled by anupper door opening mechanism 1143. The upper door opening mechanism 1143is located on a lower side of the upper door 1142 and has a rod member1143 a whose one end portion is pivotally supported in a rotatablemanner onto a rear face wall of the upper door 1142 and a slide member1143 b which is laterally provided on a front face side of the cabinet1011. The slide member 1143 b engages the other end portion of the rodmember 1143 a in a horizontally movable manner, temporarily stops theupper door 1142 at a predetermined opening angle, and when apredetermined force or more is applied externally in a direction inwhich the upper door 1142 is closed, moves the upper door 1142 in arotatable manner in a closing direction.

In addition, on an upper end portion and a lower end portion of thelower door 1144, the lower door 1144 and the cabinet 1011 are pivotallysupported in a rotatable manner and are coupled by a lower door openingmechanism 1145. The lower door opening mechanism 1145 is located on alower side of the lower door 1144 and has a rod member 1145 a whose oneend portion is pivotally supported in a rotatable manner onto a rearface wall of the lower door 1144 and a slide member 1145 b which islaterally provided on a front face side of the cabinet 1011. The slidemember 1145 b engages the other end portion of the rod member 1145 a ina horizontally movable manner, temporarily stops the lower door 1144 ata predetermined opening angle, and when a predetermined force or more isapplied externally in a direction in which the lower door 1144 isclosed, moves the lower door 1144 in a rotatable manner in a closingdirection.

In the upper door 1142, as described above, the symbol display window1135 is arranged, and the symbol display window 1135 is covered with areel cover 1135 a. The reel cover 1135 a includes: for example, a basepanel such as a transparent liquid crystal panel and a transparentpanel; and a touch panel provided on a front face of the base panel. Thesymbol display window 1135 covered with the reel cover 1135 a allows 15symbols in areas of 5 columns×3 rows among symbols depicted onperipheral surfaces of the respective reels of the reel apparatus M1 tobe made viewable externally.

In addition, in FIG. 5, the PTS front unit 1700 a located in the middleportion of the lower door 1144 is shown. With the lower door 1144 beingclosed, the PTS front unit 1700 a comes to be housed inside of thecabinet 1011. A configuration of the PTS terminal 1700 including the PTSfront unit 1700 a will be described below in detail.

In a right lower portion of the cabinet 1011, a bill stocker 1147 ishoused. The bill insertion slot 1137 shown in FIG. 4 communicates withan insertion slot (an insertion slot of the later-described billvalidator 1022) of the bill stocker 1147. The bill stocker 1147 has afunction to pull in bills inputted into the bill insertion slot 1137;thereafter, to determine authenticity of the bills; if any of the billsare bogus, to discharge the bogus bills from the bill insertion slot1137; and if the bills are authentic, to classify the bills according tokinds of the bills and for example, to house the bills. In addition, ina middle portion of the cabinet 1011, a shelf plate member 1149 whichpartitions inner space of the cabinet 1011 is located. The shelf platemember 1149 is formed of a metallic thin plate.

In FIG. 5, a box A and a box B are indicated by dotted lines, and thePTS main body is located, for example, in a position indicated by eachof these boxes in a posture of each of said boxes. The PTS main body hasmagnets, and in a case where the PTS main body is located in the postureof the box A, the PTS main body is attracted and attached in contactwith an upper side of the shelf plate member 1149 by the magnets. Atthis time, a portion of the upper side of the shelf plate member 1149,which comes in contact with or close to said magnets, is formed of atleast a metallic member. On the other hand, in a case where the PTS mainbody is located in the posture of the box B, the PTS main body isattracted and attached in contact with an inner side face of the cabinet1011 by the magnets. At this time, a portion of the inner side face ofthe cabinet 1011, which comes in contact with or close to said magnets,is formed of at least the metallic member. It is to be noted that inFIG. 6, the box A and the box B are not shown.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the slot machine 1010 in the state in whichthe upper door 1142 and the lower door 1144 are opened. On a front faceof the top box 1012, as described above, the upper image display panel1131 is located.

In an uppermost portion of the cabinet 1011, the reel apparatus M1 isdetachably provided. In a middle portion of the lower door 1144, thecontrol panel 1030 is located so as to protrude. On an upper side of thecontrol panel 1030, the PTS front unit 1700 a is located.

In addition, in a middle portion on a right side of the cabinet 1011, aprinter 1171 is supported. The printed matter discharge outlet 1136shown in FIG. 4 communicates with a discharge outlet of the printer1171, and when printed matter is outputted from the printer 1171, saidprinted matter is discharged from the printed matter discharge outlet1136.

Under the printer 1171 and in a middle portion of the cabinet 1011, theshelf plate member 1149 shown in FIG. 5 is located so as to verticallypartition a space of the cabinet 1011.

In a right lower portion of the cabinet 1011, the bill validator 1022and the bill stocker 1147 for housing bills provided from the billinsertion slot 1137 to the bill validator 1022 are located. In addition,in a left lower portion of the cabinet 1011, a power supply unit 1081 islocated.

Further, in a middle portion of the cabinet 1011 and under the shelfplate member 1149, a security cage 1148 having housed therein electricalcomponents and the like, which are highly confidential in particular(for example, the later-described gaming board 1050 and motherboard1070) is located.

It is to be noted that although hereinabove, the slot machine 1010 isdescribed as the apparatus having the configuration as shown in FIG. 4and FIG. 6, a variety of other configurations may be adopted.

[Configuration of PTS Terminal]

Next, a configuration of a PTS terminal 1700 will be described. The PTSterminal 1700 includes a PTS front unit 1700 a incorporated into a lowerdoor 1144 of a slot machine 1010 and a PTS main body 1700 b housedinside of a cabinet 1011 of the slot machine 1010. The PTS front unit1700 a and the PTS main body 1700 b are connected by a predeterminednetwork (for example, a predetermined cable). It is to be noted that thePTS terminal 1700 uses a data interface which is commonalized for gamingmachines to communicate data and can be thereby incorporated into avariety of types of gaming machines manufactured by a variety of makers.

First, with reference to FIG. 7, a configuration of the PTS front unit1700 a will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating only the PTSfront unit 1700 a shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 in an enlarged manner. Asshown in FIG. 7, the PTS front unit 1700 a has a panel 1710, respectiveparts located on a front face of the panel 1710 are viewable by aplayer, and members located on a rear face of the panel 1710 are housedinside of the cabinet 1011 of the slot machine 1010 and are not viewableby a player.

On a right side of the front face of the panel 1710, an LCD 1719 havinga touch panel function is provided. The LCD 1719 displays, for example,information related to members and information for members, and a sizeof a screen thereof is 6.2 inches (approximately 15.7 cm). In addition,around the LCD 1719, an LCD cover 1719 a is provided. It is to be notedthat although in this example, the LCD 1719 is configured to have thetouch panel function, instructions issued by a player may be inputtedwith other input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and buttons.

In addition, above the LCD 1719 and the LCD cover 1719 a, a lightemitting plate 1720 a which is connected to LEDs and emits light isprovided. The light emitting plate 1720 a is formed of, for example,polycarbonate and is connected to a plurality of (for example, seven)full-color LEDs 1721 a located on a rear side of the panel 1710 andemits light in accordance with light emitting of the full-color LEDs1721 a.

Below the LCD 1719 and the LCD cover 1719 a, similarly, a light emittingplate 1720 b which is connected to LEDs and emits light is provided. Thelight emitting plate 1720 b is formed of, for example, polycarbonate andis connected to a plurality of (for example, seven) full-color LEDs 1721b (not shown) located on the rear side of the panel 1710 and emits lightin accordance with light emitting of the full-color LEDs 1721 b.

In addition, on a right side of the LCD 1719, an image pickup window1712 is provided, and a human body detection camera 1713 (not shown)located inside of the LCD cover 1719 a or on the rear side of the panel1710 shoots an image of a player via this image pickup window 1712. Theimage pickup window 1712 may be also formed of, for example, a halfmirror material which has undergone shield processing such as smokeprocessing.

In addition, at a position of the LCD cover 1719 a, which is below theLCD 1719 and is on a right side, a home button 1722 is provided. Thehome button 1722 is a button to shift a screen displayed on the LCD 1719to a predetermined upper level screen.

Further, at a position of the LCD cover 1719 a, which is on the rightside of the LCD 1719, a speaker duct 1706 is provided, and in a portionon the rear side of the panel 1710, which corresponds to a position ofthe speaker duct 1706, a bass reflex type speaker 1707 is provided.Similarly, on a left side of the LCD 1719, a speaker duct 1708 isprovided, and in a portion on the rear side of the panel 1710, whichcorresponds to a position of the speaker duct 1708, a bass reflex typespeaker 1709 (not shown) is provided. These speakers are speakersdedicated to the PTS terminal 1700 and are provided separately from thespeakers 1112 for a slot machine game provided on the slot machine 1010.These speakers are capable of realizing presentation and a phone call byvoice and of outputting notification sound for notifying a player thatan IC card 1500 is left unremoved. It is to be noted that since theconfiguration thereof is made such that sound from the speakers passesthrough the above-described speaker ducts 1706 and 1708 and is heard infront thereof (on a player side) in a stereophonic manner, the speakerscan be installed on the rear side of the panel 1710 and as a result,space-saving of the PTS front unit 1700 a (panel face) can be realized.

In addition, at positions of the LCD cover 1719 a, which are below theLCD 1719 and are on a left side, a microphone opening part 1714 and amicrophone opening part 1716 are provided. In portions corresponding tothe microphone opening part 1714 and the microphone opening part 1716inside of the LCD cover 1719 a, microphones 1715 and 1717 (not shown)are provided, respectively.

In a left lower portion of the front face of the panel 1710, a cardinsertion slot 1730 which allows the IC card 1500 to be inserted theretoand removed therefrom is provided. In a card insertion part of the cardinsertion slot 1730, full-color LEDs 1731 (not shown) are provided,which are lit up in a plurality of colors, thereby allowing theremaining number of IC cards 1500 stacked in the later-described cardstacker 1742 to be notified. At the card insertion slot 1730, an ejectbutton 1732 is provided, and in the vicinity of the eject button 1732,an LED 1733 (not shown) is provided, which is lit up in red, therebyallowing a position and a way of an ejection operation of the ejectbutton 1732 to be found.

In addition, in positions on a rear side of the panel 1710, whichcorrespond to the card insertion slot 1730, a card unit 1741 and thecard stacker 1742 are provided, and the card insertion slot 1730 isconfigured as one part of the card unit 1741. In the card stacker 1742,approximately 30 IC cards 1500 can be retained, and when a player whohas newly played a unit game makes settlement of credits, an IC card1500 retained in the card stacker 1742 is taken out and ejected to thecard insertion slot 1730.

For the IC card 1500 taken in from the card insertion slot 1730 andretained in the card unit 1741, upon the settlement of credits, creditinformation is updated by NFC or the like, and thereafter, the IC card1500 is ejected from the card insertion slot 1730. While a player isplaying a unit game, the IC card 1500 is completely housed inside of thecard unit 1741.

In addition, in a case where upon the settlement of credits, in spite ofthe IC card 1500 left unremoved, absence of a player is detected by thehuman body detection camera or the like, the configuration may bearranged such that the IC card 1500 can be retained in the card stacker1742. Thus, for example, even in a case where a player has learned thatthe remaining number of credits is small and yet has left his or herseat with the IC card 1500 left unremoved or in a case where a playerhas simply forgotten to remove the IC card 1500 and has left his or herseat, it does not occur that the IC card 1500 is left retained in thecard unit 1741 over a long period of time.

In positions on a left upper side of the front face of the panel 1710, aUSB terminal 1737 and an audio terminal 1738 are provided. The USBterminal 1737 is configured to allow battery charge or the like byconnecting a USB device thereto. In addition, the audio terminal 1738is, for example, a four-pole terminal, and a headset is insertedthereto, thereby allowing a phone call with other person to be made withthe headphones and the microphones. In addition, the audio terminal 1738may be configured to be a two-pole or three-pole terminal, therebyallowing sound to be listened with the headphones.

On the front face of the panel 1710 and on the left side of the LCD1719, a touch unit 1745 is provided. The touch unit 1745 includes anRFID module which can function as a writer to write data through datacommunication to an IC device (for example, a non-contact IC card, amobile phone and a smartphone, each of which has a communicationfunction by NFC, and the like) including an IC chip and which canfunction as a reader to read data through the data communication fromsaid IC device. In addition, in four corners of the front face of thetouch unit 1745, LEDs 1746 (not shown) are located, respectively. Inaddition, besides the touch unit 1745 or instead of the touch unit 1745,an information recording medium reading device for reading informationstored in an information recording medium such as a magnetic card may beprovided. In this case, instead of the IC card 1500, the magnetic cardmay be a membership card.

As described above, the PTS front unit 1700 a according to the presentembodiment is formed such that the variety of devices having themicrophone function, the camera function, the speaker function, thedisplay function, and the like are integrated into one unit, thusrealizing space-saving. In addition, although hereinabove, the PTS frontunit 1700 a is described as the apparatus having the configuration shownin FIG. 7, the PTS front unit 1700 a may be apparatuses having a varietyof other configurations.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 18, a configuration of the PTSmain body 1700 b connected to the PTS front unit 1700 a shown in FIG. 7and the like will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective viewillustrating external appearance of the PTS main body 1700 b.

The external appearance of the PTS main body 1700 b is of a box-shape asshown in FIG. 8 (substantially a cube-shape). Inside thereof, a controlpart which includes a variety of circuits (refer to the later-describedcircuit of the PTS main body 1700 b shown in FIG. 25) is located. Thiscontrol part is configured to include a motherboard. In addition, a CPU1751 (refer to FIG. 25) of the PTS main body 1700 b is, for example, afanless CPU having heat dissipation fins.

In addition, although as described later, the PTS main body 1700 b maybe housed inside of the cabinet 1011 in any posture, here, a face of anupper side shown in FIG. 8 is defined as a reverse face (bottom face) ofthe PTS main body 1700 b. The PTS main body 1700 b is formed byarranging three side parts and one side face which is a back panel 1805,which are located between a base panel 1803 which is the reverse faceand a top cover 1821 (refer to FIG. 14) which is an obverse face facingthis base panel 1803. It is to be noted that here, the above-mentionedCPU 1751 is located inside of the PTS main body 1700 b in proximity tothe base panel 1803.

In the base panel 1803, a plurality of ventilation holes are provided.In addition, one side part 1806 a among the three side parts isconfigured to include a back cover provided with a plurality ofventilation holes. Each of the other two side parts (a side part 1806 band a side part 1806 c (refer to FIG. 14)) has a back cover providedwith a plurality of long and narrow ventilation slits. Further, a backair cover provided with long and narrow ventilation slits, which arelocated so as to be perpendicular to the ventilation slits of said backcover, is arranged so as to be superposed on the back cover (refer toFIG. 14). The sizes and the configurations of these ventilation holesand ventilation slits are arranged for the heat dissipation of the PTSmain body 1700 b, and at the same time, are suitably designed not toallow easy entering of dust and dirt in the slot machine 1010 into aninside of the PTS main body 1700 b.

In the back panel 1805, connectors (terminals) for connecting withrespective circuits of the PTS front unit 1700 a are arranged. Theseconnectors are connected by respectively corresponding connectors of thePTS front unit 1700 a by cables or like, thereby allowing the PTS frontunit 1700 a and the PTS main body 1700 b to function as the PTS terminal1700.

In the back panel 1805, a power connector 1805 a (refer to FIG. 12) towhich one end of a power cable provided with a power adapter (forexample, an AC adapter) is connected is also arranged. The one end ofthe power cable is connected to the power connector 1805 a and the otherend of the power cable is connected to a power supply source, therebyallowing power to be supplied to the PTS main body 1700 b and the PTSfront unit 1700 a. In the present embodiment, the other end of the powercable is connected to a power supply unit 1081 of the slot machine 1010.In addition, in the back panel 1805, a power switch 1804 is arranged.

On the side part 1806 a, four leg parts 1807 a to 1807 d are arrangedand in a case where the PTS main body 1700 b is located with the sidepart 1806 a being a bottom face, these leg parts 1807 a to 1807 d comein contact with a floor surface.

In the vicinity of the middle of an upper portion of the base panel 1803of the PTS main body 1700 b, a magnet cover 1801 is located. In thevicinity of a middle portion of the magnet cover 1801, a projection part1802 for storing magnets thereinside is provided.

Since the magnet cover 1801 is located so as to protrude from the basepanel 1803 and the magnets are provided thereinside, the PTS main body1700 b is attached onto the metallic member at this mounting face by anattracting force of said magnet, whereby the PTS main body 1700 b isheld inside of the slot machine 1010. For example, in the presentembodiment, the PTS main body 1700 b is attached (held) onto the reverseface of the cabinet 1011 or the f metallic member inside of the cabinet1011 by a magnetic force.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which themagnet cover 1801 and one part of a magnet 1810 of the PTS main body1700 b are detached.

Below the magnet cover 1801, a base stopper 1815 is located. Between themagnet cover 1801 and the base stopper 1815, three magnets (1810, 1811,and 1812) are sandwiched. The magnet 1810 is held in a magnet holder1810 a having hole parts (1810 a 1 and 1810 a 2) on the right and theleft of the magnet. The base panel 1803 is provided with hole parts 1803a and 1803 b in positions which correspond to the hole parts 1810 a 1and 1810 a 2. It is to be noted that the above-described relationshipamong the magnet, the magnet holder, and the base panel 1803 is the sameas that of each of the other magnets (that is, the magnets 1811 and1812).

When the magnet cover 1801 is placed on the base panel 1803, projectionparts (projection parts (1814 a and 1814 b) shown in FIG. 11) providedon a reverse face of the magnet cover 1801 respectively penetratethrough the hole parts 1810 a 1 and 1810 a 2 of the magnet holder 1810 aand are inserted into the hole parts 1803 a and 1803 b of the base panel1803, whereby the magnet 1810 is held in the PTS main body 1700 b. It isto be noted that the above-described way of holding the magnet is thesame as that of holding each of the other magnets (that is, the magnets1811 and 1812).

FIG. 10 is a bottom view illustrating a reverse face (that is, a bottomface) of the PTS main body 1700 b in a state in which the magnet cover1801 is detached. In the base stopper 1815 located on the base panel1803, the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) are located so as to beconcentrated in a central protruding portion.

Since the magnets are located in the central circular protrudingportion, when the PTS main body 1700 b is arranged inside of the housingof the slot machine 1010, it is made easy for the PTS main body 1700 bto be in a stable state in terms of the center of gravity and balance.In addition, it is made easy for a surface in contact with a place wherethe PTS main body 1700 b is arranged inside of the housing of the slotmachine 1010 to be provided in a continuous and wide manner, whereby itsfriction resistance causes displacement thereof to hardly occur.

In addition, as is seen from FIG. 10, these three magnets arerespectively arranged in a concentric and equally spaced manner, withthe centers of the magnets being located along a circle C1, indicated bya dotted line, whose center is a center C of the circular protrudingportion (this center is also the center of the base stopper 1815 and issubstantially the center of the base panel 1803 constituting the reverseface of the PTS main body 1700 b).

The above-described arrangement of the magnets allows the PTS main body1700 b to be easily detached by a substantially even force from anywhere(for example, by hooking even any of four corners of the PTS main body1700 b which is of the box-shape).

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the magnet cover 1801 with the reverseface thereof facing upward. As shown in FIG. 11, the magnet cover 1801is held in the PTS main body 1700 b by fitting four insertion projectionparts (1801 a to 1801 d) into four groove parts of the base panel 1803,respectively. An outer peripheral portion of the magnet cover 1801provided with the four insertion projection parts (1801 a to 1801 d) isformed of, for example, resin such as plastic. In addition, the centralportion surrounded by the outer peripheral portion of the magnet cover1801 may be formed of metal or may be formed of resin such as plastic.It is to be noted that in FIG. 9, only two groove parts (1813 b and 1813c) among the four groove parts of the base panel 1803 are shown.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the configuration isarranged such that the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) aresandwiched between the magnet cover 1801 and the base stopper 1815.However, as the way of holding the magnets in the portion protrudingfrom one face of the PTS main body 1700 b, other various ways can beemployed.

Here, the magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) are, for example, magnetcatches constituted of neodymium magnets.

FIG. 12 is a side view in which the PTS main body 1700 b is viewed froma direction of R1 in FIG. 8 and the back panel 1805 is shown so as toface forward. As shown in FIG. 12, the magnet cover 1801 is located in astate in which the magnet cover 1801 protrudes from the face of the basepanel 1803. Inside of an uppermost portion of the magnet cover 1801, asdescribed above, the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) are arranged.

Through the above-described configuration of the PTS main body 1700 b,the PTS main body 1700 b comes in contact with a surface of the metallicmember in the uppermost portion of the magnet cover 1801 and is located(that is, held) inside of the housing of the gaming machine by themagnetic force of the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812). Accordingly,the PTS main body 1700 b can be held inside of the cabinet 1011 or ontoother metallic members regardless of postures of the PTS main body 1700b.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the PTS main body 1700 b is located on ametallic member 1817. It is to be noted that in FIG. 13, a posture ofthe PTS main body 1700 b is different from the posture thereof shown inFIG. 8 to FIG. 12, with the face of the base panel 1803 facing downward(that is, with the reverse face (bottom face) of the PTS main body 1700b facing downward).

In FIG. 13A, the PTS main body 1700 b is attached onto an obverse faceof the metallic member 1817 by the magnetic force of the three magnets(1810, 1811, and 1812). Since in the present embodiment, the magnetcover 1801 forms the projection part in the vicinity of the centralportion of the base panel 1803, as shown in FIG. 13A, in a state inwhich the PTS main body 1700 b is attached thereonto, a gap enough toallow, for example, a human finger to enter therethrough is presentbetween a peripheral portion of the base panel 1803 and the metallicmember 1817 as indicated by an arrow 1818, and further, between theattracting portions by the powerful magnetic force and the point ofaction (the position of the finger), a certain distance results.Therefore, action of attaching or detaching the PTS main body 1700 binto or from the slot machine 1010 or of changing the position where thePTS main body 1700 b is located can be easily performed (see an arrow1819 shown in FIG. 13B), thereby leading to enhancement inmaintainability.

In addition, since the space indicated by the arrow 1818 is ensured,heat dissipation from the plurality of ventilation holes (refer to FIG.8) provided in the base panel 1803 is effectively conducted. Inparticular, in the present embodiment, since the CPU 1751 is located inproximity to the base panel 1803, the above-described configurationallows more effective heat dissipation to be conducted.

In addition, as described above, since the magnets are located in thecentral protruding portion, when the PTS main body 1700 b is locatedinside of the housing of the slot machine 1010, it is made easy for thePTS main body 1700 b to be in a stable state in terms of the center ofgravity and balance. In addition, it is made easy for a face in contactwith a place where the PTS main body 1700 b is located inside of thehousing of the slot machine 1010 to be provided in a continuous and widemanner, whereby its friction resistance causes displacement thereof tohardly occur.

Further, since the magnets are located in the concentric and evenlyspaced manner in the central circular protruding portion, the PTS mainbody 1700 b can be easily detached by the substantially even force fromanywhere (for example, by hooking even any of the four corners of thePTS main body 1700 b which is of the box-shape).

As to the positions of the magnet in the PTS main body 1700 b, theabove-described arrangement is preferable. However, the plurality ofmagnets can also be arranged so as to protrude in the peripheral portionof the base panel 1803. In addition, at this time, large distances amongthe magnets can also be taken so as to provide a gap enough to allow afinger to enter between the peripheral portion of the base panel 1803and the obverse face of the metallic member 1817.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view in which an obverse face (upper face) ofthe PTS main body 1700 b faces upward. The side part 1806 b and the sidepart 1806 c of the PTS main body 1700 b are shown, and on the obverseface, the top cover 1821 and a top cover guard 1822 are located. Thecentral portion of the top cover 1821 is formed of, for example, resinsuch as plastic, the top cover 1821 is partially provided with slits forheat dissipation. The sizes and configurations of these slits are, aswith those in the base panel 1803 and the side parts (1806 a to 1806 c),designed not to allow easy entering of dust and dirt in the slot machine1010 into an inside of the PTS main body 1700 b.

In addition, on the right side of the top cover 1821, a key cylinder1823 for opening the top cover 1821 is located, and in the vicinity ofthe central portion of the top cover 1821, a circular top plate 1824 islocated.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which in the PTS main body 1700 b shown in FIG.14, the top plate 1824 and a base plate (not shown) are detached. Afterdetaching the top plate 1824 and the base plate, in the vicinity of thecentral portion of the top cover 1821, a circular opening part 1825appears. From an outer periphery of the opening part 1825, two groundplates 1825 a and 1825 b extend upward, and when the base plate isreturned to the original position, the ground plates 1825 a and 1825 bcome in contact with the base plate.

FIG. 16 shows a state in which a cable cover 1831 is attached onto thePTS main body 1700 b. The PTS main body 1700 b is in a posture in whichthe base panel 1803 faces upward, as with that shown in FIG. 8, and inthe vicinity of the central portion of the base panel 1803, the magnetcover 1801 is located. The cable cover 1831 is to house cables together,which are connected to the respective connectors located on the backpanel 1805. It is to be noted that in FIG. 16, the respective kinds ofcable are not shown.

In the present embodiment, the cable cover 1831 has upper and lowerrotating shaft parts 1833, respectively. In a state in which therotating shaft parts 1833 are fitted into bearing parts 1808 (of thebase panel 1803 and the top cover 1821) to which the rotating shaftparts 1833 correspond, with the rotating shaft parts 1833 being arotating axis, the other end of the cable cover 1831 is rotated towardthe PTS main body 1700 b (in a direction indicated by an arrow 1835),and projection parts 1834 of the cable cover 1831 are fitted into holeparts 1809 (of the base panel 1803 and the top cover 1821), whereby thecable cover 1831 is attached onto the PTS main body 1700 b.

The cable cover 1831 is also provided with slits for heat dissipation.In addition, the cable cover 1831 is provided with a fixture holdingregion 1832 for holding the later described power adapter fixture. Inthe fixture holding region 1832, for example, a magnet sheet is arrangedto attract metallic members and magnets. In addition, the configurationmay be arranged such that in the fixture holding region 1832 or on theperiphery or the back side of the fixture holding region 1832, metallicmembers are located, thereby attracting the magnets.

FIG. 17 exemplifies two representative patterns, in each of which thePTS main body 1700 b is attached inside of the slot machine 1010. It isto be noted that in FIG. 17, respective kinds of cables connecting thePTS front unit 1700 a and the PTS main body 1700 b are not shown.

As to the slot machine 1010 shown in FIG. 17, the cabinet 1011 of theslot machine 1010 with the upper door 1142 and the lower door 1144 beingopened shown in FIG. 6 is partially illustrated.

A PTS main body 1700 b-1 is attached on the shelf plate member 1149 bythe magnetic force of the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) in astate in which the magnet cover 1801 is in contact with a metallic platemember of an upper side of the shelf plate member 1149. On the frontside, a side part 1806 b-1 corresponding to the side part 1806 b of thePTS main body 1700 b appears. The above-mentioned attaching position ofthe PTS main body 1700 b-1 corresponds to the position of the box Ashown in FIG. 5.

A PTS main body 1700 b-2 is attached on a left side of the cabinet 1011of the slot machine 1010 by the magnetic force of the three magnets(1810, 1811, and 1812) in a state in which the magnet cover 1801 is incontact with a side part metallic plate member on an inner side of thecabinet 1011. On the front, a side part 1806 b-2 corresponding to theside part 1806 b of the PTS main body 1700 b appears. Theabove-mentioned attaching position of the PTS main body 1700 b-2corresponds to the position of the box B shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 18 exemplifies further other three representative patterns, in eachof which the PTS main body 1700 b is attached inside of the slot machine1010. It is to be noted that in FIG. 18, respective kinds of cablesconnecting the PTS front unit 1700 a and the PTS main body 1700 b arenot shown.

In FIG. 18, the cabinet 1011 of the slot machine 1010 with the upperdoor 1142 and the lower door 1144 being opened shown in FIG. 6 ispartially illustrated.

A PTS main body 1700 b-3 is attached on the shelf plate member 1149 bythe magnetic force of the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) in astate in which the magnet cover 1801 is in contact with a metallic platemember of a back face of the cabinet 1011. On the front side, a topcover 1821-3 corresponding to the top cover 1821 of the PTS main body1700 b appears.

A PTS main body 1700 b-4 is attached below a security cage 1148 by themagnetic force of the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) in a state inwhich the magnet cover 1801 is in contact with a side part metallicplate member of the power supply unit 1081. On the front side, a sidepart 1806 b-4 corresponding to the side part 1806 b of the PTS main body1700 b appears.

A PTS main body 1700 b-5 is attached below the security cage 1148 and ona left side of a bill stocker 1147 by the magnetic force of the threemagnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) in a state in which the magnet cover 1801is in contact with a metallic plate member of a bottom face of thecabinet 1011. On the front side, a side part 1806 c-5 corresponding tothe side part 1806 c of the PTS main body 1700 b appears.

In addition thereto, though not shown, also considered is a pattern inwhich the PTS main body 1700 b is hung from above in a state in whichthe magnet cover 1801 is in contact with a metallic plate member of abottom face of the security cage 1148.

As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the PTS main body 1700 b can be locatedin various positions and in various postures. However, each of thepatterns shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 is merely one example. As long asthere is a space where the PTS main body 1700 b is housed inside of theslot machine 1010, various other housing patterns can be considered. Itis to be noted that although in FIG. 17, the PTS main body 1700 b ishoused inside of the slot machine 1010 in the state in which the cablecover 1831 is detached and in FIG. 18, the PTS main body 1700 b ishoused inside of the slot machine 1010 in the state in which the cablecover 1831 is attached, the selection of the attachment or thedetachment of the cable cover 1831 can be made as needed.

In addition, in each of the examples shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, thePTS main body 1700 b is located inside of the cabinet 1011. However, invarious positions inside of the housing of the slot machine 1010, whichincludes a position of the top box 1012, the PTS main body 1700 b can belocated. It is to be noted that in a case where a video reel type reelapparatus, instead of the mechanical reel type reel apparatus M1 as inthe present embodiment, is adopted in the slot machine 1010, the reelapparatus M1 is not needed and the PTS main body 1700 b can be locatedalso in the position where the reel apparatus M1 is housed (that is, inan upper portion of the cabinet 1011).

Through the above-described configuration of the PTS main body 1700 b,the attachment and detachment of the PTS main body 1700 b can be easilyperformed. As a result, work such as the installation of the PTS mainbody 1700 b and changing of the position of the installation thereof canbe easily conducted, thereby remarkably enhancing maintainability. Inaddition, the upper face, the bottom face, and the side parts of the PTSmain body 1700 b are provided with the ventilation holes and the slits,and the configuration thereof is arranged such that the ventilation andthe heat dissipation are considered and at the same time, intrusion ofthe dust and dirt is also considered.

In addition, the CPU 1751 is located in proximity to the base panel 1803on which the magnet cover 1801 constituting the contact face with themetallic plate member is located, and the magnet cover 1801 isconfigured as the protruding portion. Therefore, the heat generated bythe CPU 1751 can be effectively dissipated via the metallic plate memberand the space.

As described above, the PTS main body 1700 b is attached onto themetallic member inside of the housing of the slot machine 1010 by theattachment part (that is, the protruding portion including the magnetcover 1801 and the magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812)) formed as theprotruding portion of the supporting part (that is, like the base panel1803, one part of the box shape) of the PTS main body 1700 b. However,said attachment part can be configured in various forms. For example,the magnets may be located so as to be exposed on an obverse face of theattachment part. In addition, the magnets may be held by various waysother than the way of the configuration in which the magnets aresandwiched between the magnet cover 1801 and the base stopper 1815 as inthe present embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, thethree magnets are located in the central portion of the magnet cover1801. However, in consideration of a size and a weight of the PTS mainbody 1700 b, a number of the magnets, kinds thereof, a size, anarrangement position, and the like can be suitably designed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 23, a power adapter fixture forattaching a power adapter will be described. This power adapter is, forexample, a power adapter of a power cable which is connected to thepower connector 1805 a (refer to FIG. 12) of the PTS main body 1700 bshown in FIG. 8 and the like. FIG. 19 shows a state in which a poweradapter fixture 1900 is held onto the power adapter.

The power adapter fixture 1900 includes a fixture main body 1901,stopper members 1902, magnet sheets 1912 a and 1912 b, screws 1903 a and1903 b, and is in contact with a metallic member at a part of an upperside (attachment part) shown in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 19, the poweradapter fixture 1900 is held by belts 1940 a and 1940 b such that alower portion of the fixture main body 1901 comes in contact with apower adapter 1950 (for example, a plane part of the power adapter). Inaddition, the fixture main body 1901 has a hollow part 1907, and saidhollow part 1907 is opened on both side face sides of the fixture mainbody 1901.

The power adapter 1950 is provided with a connector 1951 into which aterminal of the power cable connected to a power source (for example, apower supply unit 1081 of the slot machine 1010) is inserted. Inaddition, connected to the power adapter 1950 is a cable 1952 connectedto a device of a power supply destination (here, the PTS main body 1700b) (an end part thereof is not shown).

FIG. 20 is a top view illustrating the fixture main body 1901. A magnet1910, and a magnet holder 1910 a as well as a magnet 1911 and a magnetholder 1911 a are embedded in the fixture main body 1901, respectivelyand the shapes thereof are indicated by dotted lines.

In addition, on upper portions of the magnet holder 1910 a and themagnet holder 1910 b, the magnet sheets 1912 a and 1912 b are located.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view illustrating a cross-section of the poweradapter fixture 1900 along a dotted line, taken from a dotted line D-D′shown in FIG. 20, and the cross-section of the fixture main body 1901 isindicated by diagonal lines. In FIG. 21, the power adapter fixture 1900is in a state in which the stopper members 1902 and the screws 1903 aand 1903 b are removed and further, the belts 1940 a and 1940 b aredetached. It is to be noted that the fixture main body 1901 is formedof, for example, a metallic member such as aluminum, whose thermalconductivity is high.

As is seen from FIG. 21, the power adapter fixture 1900 further includesa sheet 1906 provided between the power adapter 1950 and the fixturemain body 1901, a magnet, and a magnet holder. Although as shown in FIG.20, the power adapter fixture 1900 has two sets, each of which includesthe magnet and the magnet holder, the cross-section of only one of thesets (that is, the magnet 1910 and the magnet holder 1910 a) appears inFIG. 21.

The fixture main body 1901 is connected with an obverse face of thepower adapter 1950 on the connection part 1905 of the fixture main body1901 (with the sheet 1906 being sandwiched therebetween). It is to benoted that the connection part 1905 and the obverse face of the poweradapter 1950 may be directly connected without any inserted matter suchas the sheet 1906. For example, the connection part 1905 and the poweradapter 1950 have respective connection planes, and it is preferablethat these connection planes come directly or indirectly in contact witheach other, whereby thermal conduction is performed.

In addition, the fixture main body 1901 is provided with magnet holdingparts 1908 a and 1908 b which are recessed parts for holding themagnets. Both ends of the magnet holder 1910 a of the magnet 1910 arefitted into the recessed parts, whereby the magnet is held such that thestopper members 1902 and screws 1903 a and 1903 b prevent the magnetfrom moving thereoutside. A screw 1903 a is screwed with a screw hole1901 e and fixed, and a screw 1903 b is screwed with a screw hole 1901 fand fixed. The magnet 1910 is housed in the fixture main body 1901 as aprojection part corresponding to the recessed part 1901 a of the fixturemain body 1901.

A portion on a reverse side of the magnet 1910, which is an upperportion of the fixture main body 1901 shown in FIG. 21, constitutes anattachment part 1909, that is, the magnet 1910 is located on an innerface of an attachment part side of the hollow part 1907 (this is thesame as with the magnet 1911). This attachment part 1909 is attractedand attached onto the external metallic member by the magnet, wherebythe power adapter fixture 1900 and the power adapter 1950 are attachedonto this metallic member. Since the power adapter fixture 1900 and thepower adapter 1950 are attracted and attached onto the external metallicmember, attachment of the power adapter 1950 outside and detachmentthereof can be easily performed. It is preferable that the attachmentpart 1909 is formed to be a plane in order to facilitate the attractionand attachment onto the external metallic member and the heatdissipation.

The attachment part 1909 also functions as a heat dissipation part whichconducts heat dissipation to the external metallic member. Since theattachment part 1909 is attached onto the metallic member which isexcellent in thermal conduction, more effective heat dissipation is madepossible. In addition, areas, in which the magnets (1910 and 1911) andthe fixture main body 1901 come in contact with outside air, areincreased by arranging the hollow part 1907, thereby making the heatdissipation more effective.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, the fixture main body 1901 is providedwith a first heat dissipation fin 1901 b, a second heat dissipation fin1901 c, and a third heat dissipation fin 1901 d for conducting the heatdissipation (heat dissipation and heat exhaust to outside air) of thepower adapter 1950. For example, the third heat dissipation fin 1901 dis located on an inner face of a connection part of the hollow part1907, thereby making effective the heat dissipation on the connectionpart side where a temperature becomes high. Further, the fixture mainbody 1901 has the hollow part 1907 which is opened on both side facesides of the fixture main body 1901, thereby enhancing a heatdissipation efficiency of the power adapter 1950. The third heatdissipation fin 1901 d is located on an inner side of the hollow part1907. Further, the fixture main body 1901 is provided with grooves 1904a and 1904 b, by which the belts 1940 a and 1940 b are held so as not tomove, inside of the hollow part 1907.

Through the above-described configuration, the magnet 1910 and themagnet 1911 can effectively dissipate the heat conducted from theconnection part 1905 hollow part 1907 in proximity thereto. In additionthereto, the magnet 1910 and the magnet 1911 are located so as to beseparated at a fixed distance from the heat source, and when the heat isconducted from the connection part 1905 with the fixture main body 1901being a medium, the distance can be made long. As a result, a troublesuch as a reduction in magnetic force of the magnets, caused by hightemperatures thereof, can be prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the fixture main body 1901 has the tworecessed parts in the upper portions of the fixture main body 1901, andthe magnet sheets 1912 a and 1912 b are held respectively in thoserecessed parts (for example, through attachment, fitting, or the like).As described above, the magnet sheets 1912 a and 1912 b are arranged andsaid magnets are thereby attracted and attached onto the metallicmember. Through the magnetic force and friction of the above-describedmagnet sheets, the power adapter fixture 1900 and the power adapter 1950can be prevented from being displaced from the attaching positions andslipping down, thereby allowing the stable attachment state thereof tobe maintained.

Although in order to suppress the displacement of the power adapterfixture 1900 and the power adapter 1950, a method of strengthening themagnetic force of the magnets 1910 and 1911 can be employed, it is oftenthe case that the detachment thereof becomes difficult. In contrastthereto, through arranging the above-described magnet sheets 1912 a and1912 b, while the displacement is effectively suppressed, thefacilitated detachment can be realized.

With respect to the arrangement positions and the number of theattraction and attachment members including the above-described magnetsheets, various variations can be considered. It is to be noted that asshown in FIG. 21, by keeping a large distance between the two magnetsheets, the displacement caused by the rotation of the fixture main body1901 (for example, the rotation with a rotating axis which is a straightline extending from the attachment part 1909 of the fixture main body1901 toward the connection part 1905, like a dotted line E shown in FIG.21) can be effectively prevented.

FIG. 22 is a diagram exemplifying two representative patterns, in eachof which the power adapter fixture 1900 and the power adapter 1950 areattached when the PTS main body 1700 b is attached inside of the slotmachine 1010. It is to be noted that in FIG. 22, respective kinds ofcables connecting the PTS front unit 1700 a and the PTS main body 1700 band a cable connecting the PTS main body 1700 b and the power adapter1950 are not shown.

As to the slot machine 1010 shown in FIG. 22, the cabinet 1011 of theslot machine 1010 with the upper door 1142 and the lower door 1144 beingopened shown in FIG. 6 is partially illustrated.

The PTS main body 1700 b-1 is attached on the shelf plate member 1149 bythe magnetic force of the three magnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) in thestate in which the magnet cover 1801 is in contact with the metallicplate member of the upper side of the shelf plate member 1149. Inaddition, the PTS main body 1700 b-2 is attached on the left side of thecabinet 1011 of the slot machine 1010 by the magnetic force of the threemagnets (1810, 1811, and 1812) in the state in which the magnet cover1801 is in contact with the side part metallic plate member on the innerside of the cabinet 1011.

In a first pattern, a power adapter fixture 1900-1 and a power adapter1950-1 are attached on the upper side of the shelf plate member 1149. Inother words, the metallic plate member of the upper side of the shelfplate member 1149 and a fixture main body 1901-1 of the power adapterfixture 1900-1 are attracted and attached with each other by themagnetic force of the magnets and magnet sheets with which the poweradapter fixture 1900-1 is provided. In this state, one side of a cableof the power adapter 1950-1 is connected, for example, to the PTS mainbody 1700 b-1 or the PTS main body 1700 b-2, and the other side of thecable extends in a left downward direction of the cabinet 1011 andconnected to the power supply unit 1081.

In a second pattern, a power adapter fixture 1900-2 and a power adapter1950-2 are attached on a right side face of the power supply unit 1081.In other words, the metallic plate member of a right side of the powersupply unit 1081 and a fixture main body 1901-2 of the power adapterfixture 1900-2 are attracted and attached with each other by themagnetic force of the magnets and magnet sheets with which the poweradapter fixture 1900-2 is provided. In this state, one side of a cableof the power adapter 1950-2 is connected, for example, to the PTS mainbody 1700 b-1 or the PTS main body 1700 b-2, and the other side of thecable is connected to the power supply unit 1081 in proximity.

In a case where as in the second pattern, the power adapter fixture1900-2 and the power adapter 1950-2 are attached in a longitudinaldirection as it is called, the power adapter fixture 1900-2 and thepower adapter 1950-2 are highly likely to slip down. In this case, theabove-described arrangement of the magnet sheets is effective inparticular to prevent the slipping-down.

FIG. 23 shows a state in which the power adapter 1950 is attachedfurther via the power adapter fixture 1900 onto the PTS main body 1700 bon which the cable cover 1831 shown in FIG. 16 is attached. As showntherein, the PTS main body 1700 b, the cable cover 1831, and the poweradapter 1950 which are in an integrated state can be located inside ofthe slot machine 1010 as shown in FIG. 18. Through the above-describedconfiguration, heat of the power adapter 1950 is dissipated by theabove-mentioned first heat dissipation fin 1901 b, second heatdissipation fin 1901 c, and third heat dissipation fin 1901 d and inaddition thereto, is conducted via the power adapter fixture 1900 to thecable cover 1831, and heat dissipation is performed by air passingthrough said cable cover 1831 and an inside of the cable cover 1831.

In addition, in this case, the magnet sheets are arranged in the fixtureholding region 1832 of the cable cover 1831 shown in FIG. 16, and thepower adapter 1950 is attached (held) onto the cable cover 1831 by theattraction of the magnets 1910 and 1911 of the power adapter fixture1900. In addition, since the power adapter fixture 1900 is provided withthe magnets 1910 and 1911, the power adapter 1950 may be attached ontothe cable cover 1831 by locating a metallic member in the fixtureholding region 1832 or on the periphery or a back side of the fixtureholding region 1832.

In general, as shown in FIG. 22, the power adapter fixture 1900 holdsthe power adapter 1950, is not held by the cable cover 1831, and isattached onto the cabinet 1011 of the slot machine 1010 or the othermetallic member (by the magnets 1910 and 1911) so as to be separatedfrom the PTS main body 1700 b. Through the above-describedconfiguration, the heat of the power adapter 1950 is conducted via thepower adapter fixture 1900 to the metallic member and the heatdissipation is performed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 23, theconfiguration can also be arranged such that the power adapter fixture1900 holds the power adapter 1950 and at the same time, is attached ontothe cable cover 1831, and the PTS main body 1700 b, the cable cover1831, and the power adapter 1950 which are in the integrated state arehoused inside of the slot machine 1010.

Hereinabove, the effective heat dissipation for the power adapter 1950of the PTS main body 1700 b and the power adapter fixture 1900 forsuppressing a rise in temperature of the power adapter 1950 aredescribed. However, the application of the above-described power adapterfixture 1900 is not limited to applications related to a gaming machinesuch as the PTS main body 1700 b or the slot machine 1010 and the poweradapter fixture 1900 is widely applicable power adapters in general. Forexample, by attaching the power adapter fixture 1900 according to thepresent embodiment onto a power adapter of a personal computer andattaching the power adapter onto a metallic member of a desk (bymagnets), heat dissipation by the heat dissipation fins as well as heatdissipation for said metallic member or the like are performed, therebysuppressing a rise in temperature in the power adapter itself.

In addition, in the power adapter fixture 1900 according to the presentembodiment, the two magnets 1910 and 1911 are incorporated into thefixture main body 1901, and both ends are blocked by the stopper members1902, whereby said magnets are held in the power adapter fixture 1900.However, various patterns of kinds of and the number of magnets and ofways of holding the magnets in the power adapter fixture 1900 and thelike can be considered, and these are not limited to the presentembodiment.

Similarly, also with respect to the number, positions, shapes, and thelike of the heat dissipation fins of the fixture main body 1901 and thenumber, the position, the shape, and the like of the hollow part 1907,various patterns can be considered. In addition, with respect to the wayof holding the power adapter fixture 1900 onto the power adapter 1950,various ways other than the way of using the belts 1940 a and 1940 b asin the present embodiment can be adopted.

[Configuration of Circuitry Included in Slot Machine]

Next, with reference to FIG. 24, a configuration of circuitry includedin a slot machine 1010 will be described.

A gaming board 1050 is provided with: a CPU 1051, a ROM 1052, and a bootROM 1053, which are mutually connected by an internal bus; a card slot1055 corresponding to a memory card 1054; and an IC socket 1057corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 1056.

The memory card 1054 includes a non-volatile memory and stores a gameprogram and a game system program. The game program includes a programrelated to game progression and a program for producing presentation byimages and sounds. In addition, the above-mentioned game programincludes a symbol determination program. The symbol determinationprogram is a program for determining symbols to be rearranged.

In addition, the card slot 1055 is configured so that the memory card1054 can be inserted thereinto and removed therefrom and is connected toa motherboard 1070 by an IDE bus. Accordingly, the memory card 1054 ispulled out from the card slot 1053S, another game program is writteninto the memory card 1054, and that memory card 1054 is inserted intothe card slot 1053S, thereby allowing a kind and contents of a gameplayed on the slot machine 1010 to be changed.

The GAL 1056 is a type of a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having afixed OR array structure. The GAL 1056 is provided with a plurality ofinput ports and output ports, and predetermined input into the inputport causes output of the corresponding data from the output port.

In addition, the IC socket 1057 is configured so that the GAL 1056 canbe inserted thereinto and removed therefrom and is connected to themotherboard 1070 by a PCI bus. The contents of the game to be played onthe slot machine 1010 can be changed by replacing the memory card 1054with another memory card 1054 having another program written therein orby rewriting the program written into the memory card 1054 as anotherprogram.

The CPU 1051, the ROM 1052 and the boot ROM 1053 mutually connected bythe internal bus are connected to the motherboard 1070 by a PCI bus. ThePCI bus enables a signal transmission between the motherboard 1070 andthe gaming board 1050 and power supply from the motherboard 1070 to thegaming board 1050.

The ROM 1052 stores an authentication program. The boot ROM 1053 storesa pre-authentication program, a program (boot code) to be used by theCPU 1051 for activating the pre-authentication program, and the like.

The authentication program is a program (tamper check program) forauthenticating the game program and the game system program. Thepre-authentication program is a program for authenticating theabove-mentioned authentication program. The authentication program andthe pre-authentication program are written along a procedure(authentication procedure) for proving that the program to be thesubject has not been tampered.

The mother board 1070 is configured by using a commercially availablegeneral-purpose mother board (printed circuit board having basiccomponents of a personal computer mounted thereon) and includes a mainCPU 1071, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1072, a RAM (Random Access Memory)1073, and a communication interface 1082. Here, the main CPU 1071corresponds to a controller 1100 of the slot machine 1010.

The ROM 1072 includes a memory device such as a flash memory and storesa program such as a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) to be executed bythe main CPU 1071 and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by themain CPU 1071, processing for initializing predetermined peripheraldevices is conducted; and further, through the gaming board 1050,processing of loading the game program and the game system programstored in the memory card 1054 is started. It is to be noted that in thepresent invention, the ROM 1072 may be a ROM in which contents arerewritable or a ROM in which contents are un-rewritable.

The RAM 1073 stores data and programs such as the symbol determinationprogram which are used in operation of the main CPU 1071. For example,when the processing of loading the above-mentioned game program, gamesystem program, or authentication program is conducted, the RAM 1073 canstore the program. The RAM 1073 is provided with working areas used foroperations in execution of these programs. Examples of the areasinclude: areas that stores counters for managing the number of games,the number of BETs, the number of payout, the number of credits, and thelike; an area that stores symbols (code numbers) determined by adrawing; and the like.

The communication interface 1082 is to control transmission andreception of data between a PTS terminal 1700 and the main CPU 1071. Inaddition, the motherboard 1070 is connected with the later-describeddoor PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 1090 and a main body PCB 1110 byrespective USBs. The motherboard 1070 is also connected with a powersupply unit 1081.

When the power is supplied from the power supply unit 1081 to themotherboard 1070, the main CPU 1071 of the motherboard 1070 isactivated, and then the power is supplied to the gaming board 1050through the PCI bus so as to activate the CPU 1051.

The door PCB 1090 and the main PCB 1110 are connected with input devicessuch as switches and sensors and peripheral devices, the operations ofwhich are controlled by the main CPU 1071.

The door PCB 1090 is connected with a control panel 1030 and a coldcathode tube 1093.

The control panel 1030 is provided with a spin switch 10315, a MAX-BETswitch 1032S, a 5-BET switch 1033S, a 3-BET switch 1034S, a 2-BET switch1035S, a 1-BET switch 1036S, a HELP switch 1037S, and a CASHOUT switch1038S which correspond to the above-mentioned respective buttons. Eachof the switches outputs a signal to the main CPU 1071 upon detection ofpressing of any button corresponding thereto by a player.

The cold cathode tube 1093 functions as a backlight installed on therear face sides of the upper image display panel 1131 and the lowerimage display panel 1141 and lights up based on a control signaloutputted from the main CPU 1071.

The main body PCB 1110 is connected with a lamp 1111, speakers 1112, aprinter 1171, and a graphic board 1130. It is to be noted that althoughin this example, a bill validator 1022 is connected to the PTS terminal1700, a configuration in which the bill validator 1022 is connected tothe slot machine 1010 may be adopted.

The lamp 1111 lights up based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 1071. The speakers 1112 outputs sounds such as BGM, based on acontrol signal outputted from the main CPU 1071. Based on a controlsignal outputted from the main CPU 1071, the printer 1171 prints on aticket, for example, a barcode representing encoded data of a number ofcredits, date and time, an identification number of a slot machine 1010,and the like stored in the RAM 1073 and then outputs the ticket as aticket with a barcode.

It is to be noted that the upper image display panel 1131 and the lowerimage display panel 1141 may be configured as touch panels. Each of thetouch panel detects a position where a finger or the like of a playertouches and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected position tothe main CPU 1071.

The bill validator 1022 identifies whether or not bills are authenticand accepts authentic bills into the cabinet 1011. An amount of thebills inputted into the cabinet 1011 is converted to a number of coinsand a credit which is equivalent to the converted number of coins isadded as a credit which a player has.

The graphic board 1130 controls display of images conducted by therespective upper image display panel 1131 and lower image display panel1141 based on control signals outputted from the main CPU 1071. Thegraphic board 1130 is provided with a VDP (Video Display Processor)generating image data, a video RAM storing the image data generated bythe VDP, and the like. It is to be noted that the image data used ingeneration of image data by the VDP is included in the game programwhich has been read from the memory card 1054 and stored into the RAM1073.

A motor driving circuit 1153 includes an FPGA (Field Programmable GateArray) 1155 and a driver 1154. Connected to the motor driving circuit1153 are stepping motors 1159 a to 1159 e for rotating the respectivereels M1 a to M1 e. The FPGA 1155 is a programmable electronic circuitsuch as LSI and functions as a control circuit for the stepping motors1159 a to 1159 e. The driver 1154 functions as an amplifying circuit forpulses inputted to the stepping motors 1159 a to 1159 e.

An index detection circuit 1151 is to detect a position of each of thereels M1 a to M1 e which are rotating and further, is capable ofdetecting losing of steps of each of the reels M1 a to M1 e. A positionchange detection circuit 1152 detects a change of a position where eachof the reels M1 a to M1 e has stopped. For example, in a case wherealthough in reality, a combination of symbols displayed after stoppingof the reels M1 a to M1 e is not associated with any of combinations ofsymbols related to winning, the position where each of the reels M1 a toM1 e has stopped is changed by an external action such as a fraudulentact so as to establish any of combinations of symbols related towinning, the position change detection circuit 1152 detects the changeof the position where each of the reels M1 a to M1 e has stopped. Theposition change detection circuit 1152 is configured to detect, forexample, fins (not shown) attached at predetermined intervals tointernal portions of each of the reels M1 a to M1 e and to be capable ofthereby detecting the change of the position where each of the reels M1a to M1 e has stopped.

It is to be noted that an excitation system of the stepping motors 1159a to 1159 e is not particularly limited and a 1-2 phase excitationsystem or a 2 phase excitation system may be adopted. In addition,instead of the stepping motors, DC motors may be adopted. In a casewhere the DC motors are adopted, connected to the main body PCB 110 area deviation counter, a D/A converter, and a servo amplifier in thisorder, and the DC motors are connected to the servo amplifier. Inaddition, rotation positions of the DC motors are detected by a rotaryencoder, current rotation positions of the DC motors are supplied asdata from the rotary encoder to the deviation counter.

It is to be noted although the configuration of the circuitry of theslot machine 1010 is described as the configuration shown in FIG. 24hereinabove, a variety of other configurations may be adopted.

[Circuitry Configuration of PTS Terminal]

Next, with reference to FIG. 25, a configuration of circuitry or thelike which a PTS terminal 1700 includes will be described. As describedabove, the PTS terminal 1700 includes a PTS front unit 1700 a and a PTSmain body 1700 b. In FIG. 25, however, the circuitry or the like whichthe PTS terminal 1700 includes is shown by dividing the circuitry or thelike into circuitry or the like included in the PTS front unit 1700 aand circuitry or the like included in the PTS main body 1700 b.

A PTS controller 1750 for controlling the PTS terminal 1700 has a CPU1751, a ROM 1752, and a RAM 1753.

The CPU 1751 controls execution of each component of the PTS terminal1700, executes a variety of programs stored in the ROM 1752, andperforms computation. For example, the CPU 1751 executes a creditupdating program and updates credit-related data stored in an IC card1500.

The ROM 1752 is constituted of a memory device such as a flash memoryand has stored therein permanent data executed by the CPU 1751. Forexample, in the ROM 1752, a credit updating program for rewriting thecredit-related data stored in the IC card 1500 or the like can bestored.

The RAM 1753 temporarily stores data required upon executing a varietyof programs stored in the ROM 1752.

An external storage device 1754 is a storage device, for example, suchas a hard disk device and stores a program executed by the CPU 1751 anddata which a program executed by the CPU 1751 uses.

A server I/F (interface) 1755 realizes data communication betweenservers such as a hall management server 10, a bonus server 11, and thelike and the PTS terminal 1700.

A gaming machine I/F (interface) 1756 realizes data communicationbetween a slot machine 1010 and the PTS terminal 1700, and for said datacommunication, a specified protocol can be used.

Besides, the PTS terminal 1700 is connected to a bill validator 1022 viaa bill validator I/F (interface) 1757 and connected to a settlementapparatus 1868 via a settlement apparatus I/F (interface) 1758 and iscapable of performing transmission and reception of data as needed.

A USB control part 1759 determines whether on a USB terminal 1737, poweris supplied from a power supply unit 1760 and when a predeterminedcondition is satisfied, enables the recharging on the USB terminal 1737.When the predetermined condition is satisfied, a player connects anelectronic device to the USB terminal 1737, thereby allowing saidelectronic device to be recharged.

A light emitting part LED driving part 1761 performs control such thatin order to cause an upper light emitting plate 1720 a of an LCD 1719 toemit light, full-color LEDs 1721 a are lit up at predetermined timingand performs control such that in order to cause a lower light emittingplate 1720 b of the LCD 1719 to emit light, full-color LEDs 1721 b arelit up at predetermined timing.

An LCD control part 1762 performs control to cause the LCD 1719 todisplay information pertinent to members, information for the members,and the like and to display data read out from an IC card 1500 and datainputted by a player. In addition, the LCD 1719 has a touch panelfunction and when a touch panel is operated by a player, a predeterminedsignal is transmitted to the CPU 1751.

A home button 1722 is provided in the vicinity of the LCD 1719 and is abutton for shifting a screen displayed on the LCD 1719 to apredetermined upper level screen. When the home button 1722 is pressedby a player, that operation by a player is transmitted to the CPU 1751,and the CPU 1751 transmits an instruction to the LCD control part 1762to update the display on the LCD 1719 in accordance with said operation.

An IC card control part 1763 performs control for insertion and ejectionof an IC card 1500, writing of credit data thereto, and the like. The ICcard control part 1763 includes an IC card R/W (reader/writer) controlpart 1763 a, an IC card suction and ejection control part 1763 b, and anLED control part 1763 c.

The IC card R/W control part 1763 a controls a card unit 1741 andupdates credit-related data stored in an IC card 1500. In addition, whenan IC card 1500 is newly issued, credit-related data corresponding asettled money amount is stored. The card unit 1741 has an antenna partfor reading data by an NFC or the like from the IC card 1500 or writingthe data thereto.

Although the card unit 1741 has functions of an IC card reader forreading information stored in an IC card 1500 and an IC card writer forwriting information to an IC card 1500, the card unit 1741 may have afunction of either one of the IC card reader and the IC card writer asneeded.

The IC card suction and ejection control part 1763 b performs controlfor suction and ejection of an IC card 1500. When an IC card 1500 isinserted by a player into the card insertion slot 1730, the IC cardsuction and ejection control part 1763 b performs control to retain theIC card while a player is executing a game. In addition, after thecredit-related data has been written in the IC card 1500 upon thesettlement, the IC card suction and ejection control part 1763 bperforms control to eject that IC card 1500. Further, when an ejectbutton 1732 is pressed, the IC card suction and ejection control part1763 b ejects the IC card 1500.

In addition, when an IC card 1500 is newly issued, the IC card suctionand ejection control part 1763 b newly takes out an IC card 1500 from acard stacker 1742 and in order to cause the IC card 1500 to storecredit-related data, supplies the IC card 1500 to the card unit 1741.

The LED control part 1763 c performs control to light up LEDs(full-color LEDs 1731) provided in the vicinity of the card insertionslot 1730 of the card unit 1741 and to light up an LED (red LED 1733)provided in the vicinity of the eject button 1732.

A touch unit control part 1764 controls data transmission and receptionassociated with a touch operation on an IC card 1500, a mobile phone, asmartphone, or the like. The touch unit control part 1764 includes anon-contact R/W (reader/writer) control part 1764 a and an LED controlpart 1764 b.

The non-contact R/W control part 1764 a determines whether or not the ICcard 1500 or the mobile phone comes near within a predetermined distance(for example, a touch operation has been conducted) with a touch unit1745, and when the IC card 1500 or the mobile phone has come near withinthe predetermined distance, the non-contact R/W control part 1764 aobtains a reading-out result from the touch unit 1745. The touch unit1745 has an antenna part for performing data transmission and receptionto and from the IC card 1500 or the mobile phone by an NFC or the like.

Although the touch unit 1745 has functions of the IC card reader forreading information stored in the IC card 1500 or the mobile phone andthe IC card writer for writing information to the IC card 1500 or themobile phone, the touch unit 1745 may have a function of either onethereof as needed.

The LED control part 1764 b controls LEDs 1746 located in four cornersof a front face of the touch unit 1745 to light up the LEDs 1746 atpredetermined timing.

A DSP 1765 receives sound data obtained from microphones 1715 and 1717and conducts predetermined processing for the sound data and thereafter,transmits the processed data to the CPU 1751. In addition, the DSP 1765transmits the received sound data to speakers 1707 and 1709. Further,the DSP 1765 outputs the sound, received to an audio terminal connectedwith a headset, to headphones and processes the sound received from themicrophones and transmits the processed sound to the CPU 1751. It is tobe noted that here, the configuration of the outline is described andthe descriptions of an A/D converter, a D/A converter, an amplifier, andthe like are omitted.

A camera control part 1766 obtains an image of a player or the like shotby a human body detection camera 1713, subjects the image topredetermined image processing as needed, and transmit the processeddata to the CPU 1751. Said data is transmitted, for example, via aserver I/F 1755 to the hall management server 10, the membershipmanagement server 13, and the like.

It is to be noted that although hereinabove, the circuitry configurationof the PTS terminal 1700 is descried as the configuration shown in FIG.25, a variety of other configurations may be adopted.

[Configuration of Symbol Combination Table]

Next, with reference to FIG. 26, a symbol combination table will bedescribed.

The symbol combination table specifies combinations of drawn symbolsrelated to winning and the numbers of payout. On a slot machine 1010,the rotation of symbol arrays of five reels M1 a to M1 e (a first reelto a fifth reel) of a reel apparatus M1 is stopped, and winning isestablished when the combination of symbols displayed along a winningline matches one of the combinations of symbols specified by the symbolcombination table. According to the winning combination, a benefit suchas payout of a credit or the like is provided for a player. It is to benoted that winning is not established (i.e. the game is lost) when thecombination of symbols displayed along the winning line does not matchany of the combinations of symbols specified by the symbol combinationtable.

Basically, winning is established when all symbols displayed along thewinning line by all of the five reels M1 a to M1 e are of one kind outof kinds of symbols “RED”, “APPLE”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”,“STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, and “ORANGE”. However, with respect to therespective kinds of symbols “CHERRY” and “ORANGE”, winning is alsoestablished when one or three symbols of either kind are displayed alongthe winning line by the reel or the reels.

For example, when all the symbols displayed along the winning line byall of the five reels M1 a to M1 e of the reel apparatus M1 are thesymbols “BLUE 7”, the winning combination is a “BLUE” combination, and“10” is determined as the number of payout. Based on the determinednumber of payout, the provision of a credit is conducted. Theabove-mentioned provision of the credit is conducted, for example, suchthat the added credit is stored on the IC card 1500 and thereafter, theIC card 1500 is ejected from the card insertion slot 1730.

[Contents of Program Executed on Slot Machine]

Next, with reference to FIG. 27 to FIG. 31, one example of a programexecuted on a slot machine 1010 will be described.

<Main Control Process>

First, with reference to FIG. 27, a main control process will bedescribed. First, when the power is supplied to the slot machine 1010, amain CPU 1071 reads the authenticated game program and game systemprogram from a memory card 1054 via a gaming board 1050 and writes theprograms into a RAM 1073 (step (hereinafter, abbreviated to S) 11).

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts an at-one-game-end initializationprocess (S18). For example, data that becomes unnecessary after eachgame in working areas of the RAM 1073, such as the number of BETs andthe symbols determined by a drawing, is cleared.

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a start-check process which isdescribed later (S19). In this process, input from a BET switch and aspin switch is checked.

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a symbol drawing process which isdescribed later (S20). In this process, to-be stopped symbols aredetermined based on random number values for symbol determination.

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a presentation contents determinationprocess (S21). The main CPU 1071 extracts random number values forpresentation and determines any of the presentation contents from apredetermined plurality of presentation contents by a drawing. Thepresentation contents can be determined in accordance with a winningcombination and a state of a game on the slot machine 1010. For example,the configuration can be arranged such that in accordance with winningcombinations and the states of the game on the slot machine 1010,drawing probabilities related to respective presentation contents aremade different from one another.

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a reel control process which isdescribed later (S22). In this process, rotation of five reels M1 a toM1 e (a first reel to a fifth reel) of a reel apparatus M1 is started,and the to-be stopped symbols determined in the symbol drawing processat S20 are stopped in predetermined positions (for example, in a symboldisplay window 1135). In other words, three symbols including the to-bestopped symbols with respect to each of the reels are displayed in thesymbol display window 1135.

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a to-be-paid-out number determinationprocess which is described later (S23). In this process, based on acombination of symbols displayed on a winning line L, a to-be-paid-outnumber is determined and stored in a to-be-paid-out number counterprovided in the RAM 1073.

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a paying-out process (S24). The mainCPU 1071 adds the value stored in the to-be-paid-out number counter to avalue stored in a number-of-credits counter provided in the RAM 1073.Here, for example, when a player presses a CASHOUT button, a CASHOUTswitch 1038S which has detected the pressing thereof outputs a signal tothe main CPU 1071, and a number of credits stored in an IC card 1500held in a card unit 1741 is updated to a value in the number-of-creditscounter.

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a game termination notification process(S25). In this process, data indicating that one unit game has beenterminated (together with an identification code or the like of an ICcard 1500 in a case where an IC card 1500 or the like has been insertedand a player can be thereby identified) is transmitted to the PTSterminal 1700. The PTS terminal 1700 transmits this data to a hallmanagement server 10, and in response thereto, a bonus server 11conducts a drawing for a bonus game. After finishing the processing atS25, the main CPU 1071 returns to the processing at S18 and the unitgame is repeated.

<Start-Check Process>

Next, with reference to FIG. 28, a start-check process will bedescribed. The main CPU 1071 determines whether or not an IC card 1500inserted from a card insertion slot 1730 has been held by a card unit1741 and whether or not bills are inputted into a bill validator 1022(S41). When the main CPU 1071 determines that the insertion of the ICcard 1500 or the inputting of the bills has been detected, said IC card1500 or authenticity of said bills are confirmed and thereafter,addition thereof to a number-of-credits counter is performed (S42).

After the process at S42 or when determining at S41 that the insertionof the IC card 1500 or the like has not been detected, the main CPU 1071determines whether or not a value stored in the number-of-creditscounter is zero (S43). When the main CPU 1071 determines that the valuestored in the number-of-credits counter is not zero, the main CPU 1071permits operation acceptance of a BET button (for example, any of a MAXBET button 1032, a 5-BET button 1033, a 3-BET button 1034, a 2-BETbutton 1035, and a 1-BET button 1036) (S44).

Next, the main CPU 1071 determines whether or not operation of any ofthe BET buttons has been detected (S45). When the pressing of any BETbutton by a player has been detected by a BET switch (for example, anyof a MAX-BET switch 1032S, a 5-BET switch 1033S, a 3-BET switch 1034S, a2-BET switch 1035S, a 1-BET switch 1036S), the main CPU 1071 performsaddition to a number-of-BETs counter provided in the RAM 1073 andsubtraction from the number-of-credits counter based on the kind of theBET button (S46).

Next, the main CPU 1071 determines whether or not a value stored in thenumber-of-BETs counter is at its maximum (S47). When the main CPU 1071determines that the value stored in the number-of-BETs counter is at itsmaximum, the main CPU 1071 prohibits updating of the value stored in thenumber-of-BETs counter (S48). After S48 or when determining at S47 thatthe value stored in the number-of-BETs counter is not at its maximum,the main CPU 1071 permits operation acceptance of a spin button (S49).

After S49, or when determining at S45 that the operation of any of theBET buttons has not been detected, or when determining at S43 that thevalue stored in the number-of-credits counter is zero, the main CPU 1071determines whether or not operation of the spin button has been detected(S50). When the main CPU 1071 determines that the operation of the spinbutton has not been detected, the main CPU 1071 shifts the processing toS41.

When the main CPU 1071 determines that the operation of the spin buttonhas been detected, the main CPU 1071 conducts a progressive bonusprocess. In this process, one part of the bet credit is paid out via aPTS terminal 1700 to a bonus server 11, for example, as a creditaccumulated for a progressive bonus (S51).

Next, the main CPU 1071 conducts a game start notification process(S52). In this process, data indicating that one unit game is started(together with an identification code or the like of an IC card 1500 ina case where an IC card 1500 or the like has been inserted and a playercan be thereby identified) is transmitted to the PTS terminal 1700. ThePTS terminal 1700 transmits this data to a hall management server 10,and in response thereto, a bonus server 11 conducts a drawing for abonus game. After the processing at S52 has been conducted, thestart-check process is completed.

<Symbol Drawing Process>

Next, with reference to FIG. 29, a symbol drawing process will bedescribed. First, the main CPU 1071 extracts random number values forsymbol determination (S111). Next, the main CPU 1071 determines to-bestopped symbols for five reels M1 a to M1 e (a first reel to a fifthreel) of a reel apparatus M1 (S112). The main CPU 1071 conducts adrawing for each of the reels and determines any of 12 symbols as to-bestopped symbols.

Next, the main CPU 1071 stores the determined to-be stopped symbols forthe respective reels in a symbol storage region provided in a RAM 1073(S113). Next, the main CPU 1071 references a symbol combination table(FIG. 26) and determines a winning combination based on the symbolstorage region (S114). The main CPU 1071 determines whether or not thecombination of symbols to be displayed along a winning line by therespective reels matches any of the combinations of symbols specified bythe symbol combination table and determines the winning combination.After the process has been conducted, the symbol drawing process iscompleted.

<Reel Control Process>

Next, with reference to FIG. 30, a reel control process will bedescribed. First, the main CPU 1071 controls stepping motors 1159 a to1159 e and starts rotation of five reels M1 a to M1 e of a reelapparatus M1 (S131). Next, the main CPU 71 controls the stepping motors1159 a to 1159 e and stops the rotation of the five reels M1 a to M1 ebased on the above-mentioned symbol storage region (S132). After theprocess has been conducted, the reel control process is completed.

It is to be noted that in accordance with timing of starting andstopping of the rotation of the reels M1 a to M1 e in the reel controlprocess or other timing, the presentation determined in the presentationcontents determination process (FIG. 27) is executed. For example, amoving image and a still image are displayed on an upper image displaypanel 1131 of the slot machine 1010, in synchronization therewith, soundis outputted from speakers 1112, and a lamp 1111 is lit up, therebyallowing said presentation to be executed.

<To-be-Paid-Out Number Determination Process>

Next, with reference to FIG. 31, a to-be-paid-out number determinationprocess will be described. First, a main CPU 1071 determines ato-be-paid-out number corresponding to a winning combination (S151). Forexample, when the winning combination is a combination of symbols“BELL”, the main CPU 1071 determines “8” as the to-be-paid-out number(refer to FIG. 26). It is to be noted that the main CPU 1071 determines“0” as the to-be-paid-out number in a case where a game is lost. Next,the main CPU 1071 stores the determined to-be-paid-out number in ato-be-paid-out number counter (S152). After the process has beenconducted, the to-be-paid-out number determination process is completed.

It is to be noted that winning has occurred in a bonus game drawing by abonus server 11, predetermined presentation by PTS terminals 1700 isconducted over a plurality of slot machines 1010 including the slotmachine 1010 on which the winning has occurred; in conjunctiontherewith, a bonus is paid out by the bonus server 11; and the bonus isadded to, for example, the to-be-paid-out number counter.

Hereinabove, the embodiment of the present invention is described.

In the player tracking device, the player tracking device main body isconnected via the power cable provided with the power adapter (forexample, an AC adapter) to the gaming machine, whereby the power issupplied. One end of the power cable is connected to the connector ofthe power source of the player tracking device main body and the otherend thereof is connected to the power supply source (power supply unit)of the gaming machine.

In the meantime, the above-described power adapter of the power cableincludes electric components such as capacitors, and lives of theseelectric components are largely influenced by ambient temperature. Forexample, there is even a trial calculation estimating that if theambient temperature is reduced by approximately 2° C., a service lifemay be prolonged by nearly one year.

Since inside of the housing of the gaming machine, large numbers ofvarious circuits and mechanisms are located, temperature is liable tobecome high. In a case where as with the power cable of the playertracking device, the power adapter is located inside of the housing ofthe gaming machine, in particular, a heat dissipation countermeasure forthe power adapter itself becomes important. However, such heatdissipation countermeasure has not been taken for the conventionalgaming machine.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a power adapter fixturedescribed below.

The embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of theabove-described regard. An object thereof is to provide a power adapterfixture which is operable to effectively dissipate heat of a poweradapter itself.

A power adapter fixture according to a first aspect of the presentinvention has the below-described configuration.

The power adapter fixture (for example, a power adapter fixture 1900)having a fixture main body (for example, a fixture main body 1901)attached onto a power adapter, the fixture main body including:

a connection part (for example, a connection part 1905) being connectedso as to be operable to conduct heat from the power adapter (forexample, a power adapter 1950); and

a heat dissipation part (for example, a first heat dissipation fin 1901b, a second heat dissipation fin 1901 c, and a third heat dissipationfin 1901 d) for dissipating the heat being conducted from the connectionpart.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the fixture mainbody is provided with the heat dissipation part for dissipating the heatconducted from the connection part to outside air, effective heatdissipation for the power adapter can be performed by said heatdissipation part.

In the first aspect, the power adapter fixture according to a secondaspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The fixture main body includes an attachment part (for example, anattachment part 1909) for attachment to the outside so as to be operableto conduct heat.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the fixture mainbody includes the attachment part for attachment to the outside so as tobe operable to conduct the heat, the power adapter can be attached tothe outside and the heat of the power adapter can also be dissipated viasaid attachment part to the outside.

In the second aspect, the power adapter fixture according to a thirdaspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The attachment part has magnets (for example, magnets 1910 and 1911)arranged thereon for allowing attachment onto a metallic member.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the magnets arearranged on the attachment part, the attachment and detachment to andfrom the outside of the power adapter can be facilitated. In addition,since the attachment onto the metallic member which is excellent inthermal conduction is performed, the heat dissipation is made effective.

In the third aspect, the power adapter fixture according to a fourthaspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The fixture main body has a hollow part (for example, a hollow part1907) constituting a hollow space between the connection part and theattachment part, and

the magnets are located on an inner face of a side of the attachmentpart of the hollow part.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the fixture mainbody is provided with the hollow part between the connection part andthe attachment part, an area in contact with outside air is increasedand the heat dissipation thereby becomes effective. In addition, sincethe magnets are located on the inner face of the side of the attachmentpart of said hollow part, the arrangement of the magnets is facilitated.

In the fourth aspect, the power adapter fixture according to a fifthaspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

The heat dissipation part is located on an inner face of a side of theconnection part of the hollow part.

By employing the above-described configuration, since the heatdissipation part is located on the inner face of the side of theconnection part of the hollow part, the heat dissipation on the side ofthe connection part where temperature becomes high is made effective.

In the fourth aspect, the power adapter fixture according to a sixthaspect of the present invention further has the below-describedconfiguration.

In the attachment part, magnet sheets (for example, magnet sheets 1912 aand 1912 b) are located on a face in contact with the outside, which areperipheral portions.

By employing the above-described configuration, since in the attachmentpart, the magnet sheets are located on the face in contact with theoutside, which are the peripheral portions of the magnets, through themagnetic force and the friction of said magnet sheets, displacement issuppressed and a stable attachment state can be maintained. As comparedwith a case where magnetic forces of the magnets are strengthened inorder to suppress the displacement, the detachment is facilitated.

In the power adapter fixture according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, since the fixture main body is provided with the heatdissipation part for dissipating the heat to the outside air, theeffective heat dissipation for the power adapter connected by theconnection part can be performed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 game system    -   1010 slot machine    -   1011 cabinet    -   1030 control panel    -   1131 upper image display panel    -   1135 symbol display window    -   1141 lower image display panel    -   1700 PTS terminal    -   1700 a PTS front unit    -   1700 b PTS main body    -   1720 a and 1720 b light emitting plates    -   1721 a and 1721 b full-color LEDs    -   1706 and 1708 speaker ducts    -   1707 and 1709 speakers    -   1750 PTS controller    -   1801 magnet cover    -   1803 base panel    -   1810, 1811, and 1812 magnets    -   1815 base stopper    -   1900 power adapter fixture    -   1901 fixture main body    -   1901 b first heat dissipation fin    -   1901 c second heat dissipation fin    -   1901 d third heat dissipation fin    -   1910 and 1911 magnets

1. A player tracking device main body being connected to a front unit ofa player tracking device, the player tracking device including anoperation part operated by a player of a gaming machine, the playertracking device main body being located so as to be spaced apart fromthe front unit, the player tracking device main body including anattachment part, the attachment part including magnets, the magnetsbeing arranged so as to allow the player tracking device main body to beattached inside of a housing of the gaming machine.
 2. The playertracking device main body according to claim 1, including a supportingpart for supporting the attachment part, wherein the attachment part isconfigured as a protruding portion which protrudes from the supportingpart.
 3. The player tracking device main body according to claim 2,wherein the protruding portion is located in a center of the supportingpart.
 4. The player tracking device main body according to claim 3,wherein the protruding portion is formed to be of a circular shape, anda plurality of the magnets are located concentrically with the circularshape.
 5. A player tracking device including the player tracking devicemain body according to claim 1.